Correlation of impulsivity with self-harm and suicidal attempt: a community study of adolescents in Taiwan

Abstract

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to investigate differences and similarities in risk factors for deliberate self-harm (DSH) and suicidal attempt (SA), and the role of impulsivity among a group of community adolescents.SettingThis is a cross-sectional study conducted at high schools in Northern Taiwan.Data and participantsWe recruited grade 1 students from 14 high schools. A total of 5879 participants (mean age 16.02 years, female adolescents: 57.7%) completed the online assessment.Outcome measuresParticipants completed online questionnaires about sociodemographic data, suicidality, history of DSH and SA, depressed mood, self-esteem, social support, family discord, impulsivity (Barratt Impulsiveness Scale Version 11 (BIS-11)) and the use of alcohol, tobacco and illicit drugs. A subsample was interviewed about lifetime SA, and the results were compared with those from the online questionnaires.ResultsIn our sample, 25% of the students had lifetime DSH and 3.5% had lifetime SA. Two hundred and seventy-two students received face-to-face interviews. The concordance between the online questionnaires and interviews in terms of ascertaining cases of SA was moderate (concordance rate 82.76%; kappa value 0.59). Similar risk factors for DSH/SA among the whole sample included female gender, lower academic performance, depression, substance use (tobacco and alcohol) and low self-esteem. The BIS-11 score was correlated with DSH. Factor 3 score of the BIS-11 (novelty seeking) was correlated with DSH in both boys and girls, whereas factor 2 score (lack of self-control) was correlated with SA in boys. Social support was a protective factor against SA among the female adolescents. Gender modulated the association of impulsivity and DSH/SA. Associations between impulsivity and DSH and SA were particularly strong among boys.ConclusionsRisk factors for DSH and SA were similar, but not identical. Early identification of those at risk and appropriate interventions may be helpful.

Consumo de alcohol y factores de riesgo de conductas autolesivas en adolescentes españoles

“…Estudios previos encontraron relación entre la hiperactividad como trastorno y las conductas autolesivas (Balázs et al, 2018;Bentley, Cassiello-Robbins, Vittorio, Sauer-Zavala y Barlow, 2015;Meszaros et al, 2017). También se ha postulado que la relación de la hiperactividad con las autolesiones pudiera ser indirecta a través de factores comunes como la impulsividad, como demostrarían los resultados de distintos estudios que, además, ponen de manifiesto que la asociación sería diferente en función del sexo (Hinshaw et al, 2012;Huang et al, 2017;Kashden, Fremouw, Callahan y Franzen, 1993;Meza, Owens y Hinshaw, 2016). Las características del presente estudio no permiten delimitar la naturaleza de la influencia de la hiperactividad o la impulsividad sobre las conductas autolesivas.…”

“…El caso del consumo de tabaco, merece consideración aparte, ya que durante el periodo de tiempo transcurrido entre los dos estudios hubo cambios sociales relacionados con el tabaquismo: un aumento del precio, la puesta en marcha de programas de prevención y sensibilización dirigidos a la población joven; y la promulgación de leyes restrictivas respecto al consumo (Ley 42/2010 de 30 de diciembre de 2010). Otros trabajos previos ya encontraron asociación entre consumo de tabaco y conductas autolesivas (Huang et al, 2017;Madge et al, 2011;Romero, Rodríguez, Villar y Gómez-Fraguela, 2017). La hipótesis de que las medidas tomadas en nuestro país encaminadas a la restricción del consumo de tabaco pudieran haber modificado la prevalencia de DSH en jóvenes es atractiva, pero para su confirmación precisaría del análisis de series temporales más largas.…”

Association of Disinhibited Eating and Trait of Impulsivity With Insula and Amygdala Responses to Palatable Liquid Consumption

“…The BIS-11 assesses a single general factor (reflecting impulsivity) and three subdomains: attentional impulsiveness (inability to focus attention or concentrate), motor impulsiveness (acting without thinking), and non-planning impulsiveness (lack of future orientation or forethought). This self-report questionnaire has been adapted to assess impulsivity in adolescents ( Pechorro et al, 2016 ; Huang et al, 2017 ). Impulsivity has been linked to obesity ( Bénard et al, 2017 ), poor diet quality ( Bénard et al, 2019 ), and eating disorders, such as binge-eating ( Meule, 2013 ).…”

Caudate Functional Connectivity Associated With Weight Change in Adolescents

“…At this visit, participants also completed the Japanese version Barratt Impulsiveness Scale Version 11 (BIS-11) ( Patton et al, 1995 ; Someya et al, 2001 ; Kobashi and Ida, 2013 ), which was a questionnaire designed to assess the personality/behavioral construct of impulsiveness ( Someya et al, 2001 ). This self-reported questionnaire has been adapted to assess impulsivity in adolescents ( Pechorro et al, 2016 ; Huang et al, 2017 ). The BIS-11 contains a total of 30 items scored on a Likert scale (ranging from never = 1 point to very frequently = 6 points) yielding impulsivity measures on three scales: attentional (inability to focus or concentrate), motor (tendency to act without thinking), and non-planning impulsivity (lack of future planning and forethought).…”