Biting myself so I don’t bite the dust: prevalence and predictors of deliberate self-harm and suicide ideation in Azorean youths

Abstract

Objective: To characterize non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) behaviors, methods, and functions as well as suicide ideation in the adolescent population of a Portuguese community in Sã o Miguel Island, Azores. Increasing rates of NSSI behaviors among adolescents have been observed globally, while suicidal behavior has been pointed as a major cause of death during adolescence. Methods: A sample of 1,763 adolescents, aged 14 to 22, was randomly drawn from public and private schools and administered a set of self-report questionnaires. Descriptive and regression analyses were used to look for specific relationships and predictors of NSSI and suicide ideation in this isolated community.Results: Approximately 30% of youths reported at least one NSSI behavior, a rate that is twice as high as most studies carried out in mainland Portugal and in other European countries. Biting oneself was the most frequent form of NSSI, and NSSI behaviors served predominantly automatic reinforcement purposes (i.e., regulation of disruptive emotional states). NSSI and suicide ideation encompassed different distal and proximal risk factors. Conclusions: Exploring and characterizing these phenomena is necessary to provide a better understanding, enhance current conceptualizations, and guide the development of more effective prevention and intervention strategies in youths.

Psychosocial Factors and Sociodemographic Characteristics Associated with Suicidality Risk in Chilean Adolescents

“…The second critical finding of our study was that self-harm was associated with having two or more suicide attempts, similar to what is indicated by Barreto Carvalho et al [ 29 ] and Guerreiro et al [ 30 ]. The former author mentions that, following suicidal ideation, the frequency of deliberate self-harm is the strongest predictor of suicide.…”

Cognitive Impairment in Adolescent Major Depressive Disorder With Nonsuicidal Self-Injury: Evidence Based on Multi-indicator ERPs

“…NSSI behavior is listed as an independent clinical disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-V) (Andover, 2014 ; Zetterqvist, 2015 ). The incidence of NSSI behavior among adolescents is 10–20% (Zetterqvist et al, 2013 ; Célia et al, 2017 ). The co-occurrence of NSSI behavior with MDD in adolescents is mainly related to difficulties in interpersonal relationships, low self-esteem, childhood abuse, and lack of social support (Jiang et al, 2011 ; VanDerhei et al, 2014 ; Barreto Carvalho et al, 2017 ; Wang et al, 2017 ).…”

“…The incidence of NSSI behavior among adolescents is 10–20% (Zetterqvist et al, 2013 ; Célia et al, 2017 ). The co-occurrence of NSSI behavior with MDD in adolescents is mainly related to difficulties in interpersonal relationships, low self-esteem, childhood abuse, and lack of social support (Jiang et al, 2011 ; VanDerhei et al, 2014 ; Barreto Carvalho et al, 2017 ; Wang et al, 2017 ). One study found that shame and guilt were significant positive and negative predictors, respectively, of NSSI behavior (Xie et al, 2007 ).…”

Self-harm as a predisposition for suicide attempts: A study of adolescents' deliberate self-harm, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempts

“…DSH frequency is the strongest predictor of suicide after suicidal ideation (Barreto Carvalho et al, 2017). Guerreiro (Guerreiro et al, 2017) compared several groups of adolescents with regard to anxiety and depression, among which two subgroups were distinguished by the presence of DSH: non-repeated self-harmers (i.e.…”