Psychosocial predictors in adolescent's non-suicidal self-injury: Preliminary results

Abstract

Introduction Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) have their typical onset during adolescence. Although a growing body of research has been dedicated to this subject, little is known about the relation between psychosocial factors (PF) and NSSI in adolescence. Objectives To identify the main PF associated with the occurrence of NSSI in adolescence and potential relations between them. Methods The authors used a convenience sample of 50 outpatient adolescents from Coimbra's Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Service, with identified history of NSSI. Each patient was evaluated regarding the presence/absence of the PF contemplated in the Axis V (Associated Abnormal Psychosocial Situations) of the Multiaxial Classification of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Disorders, (ICD-10, WHO). Results Sixty-seven factors were evaluated within this sample, with 50% of the subjects showing the 3 most prevalent PF (the 5 most prevalent PF are displayed on Table 1). Statistical significance between pairs or triads of PF (selected within the 10 most prevalent PF) was evaluated, with results showing 14 significant correlations between pairs and 20 significant correlations between selected triads among the most prevalent PF. Conclusions PF are highly prevalent within adolescents with NSSI. Identification of specific associations of PF may be useful to identify high-risk patients and promote early intervention and prevention programs.