Factors Contributing to Non-suicidal Self Injury in Korean Adolescents

Abstract

Purpose: Non-Suicidal Self-Injury (NSSI), a highly prevalent behavior in adolescents, refers to the direct destruction of one's body tissue without suicidal intent. To date, the prevalence of adolescent self-injury in South Korea and its associated factors remain unknown. This study aims to determine the prevalence of self-injury in Korean adolescents as well as its associated factors. Methods: We assessed 717 middle school students by means of an anonymous self-report survey. Information about demographic characteristics, lifestyle, anxiety and depression, self-esteem, and parenting behavior was obtained. Data were analyzed using x 2 test, t-test and multiple logistic regression. Results: NSSI was reported by 8.8% of respondents. Univariate analyses showed associations of exposure to alcohol use, anxiety, depression, self-esteem, and parenting methods with self-injury. In multiple analyses, alcohol use, anxiety, and parental abuse were associated with lifetime self-injury. Conclusion: The rate of NSSI in the South Korea was found to be lower than those of other countries. As our study suggests that alcohol use, anxiety, and parental abuse are associated with lifetime self-injury, health care providers at school should take these factors into account when developing prevention and intervention programs for adolescents.

Characteristics and Trends of Suicide Attempt or Non-suicidal Self-injury in Children and Adolescents Visiting Emergency Department

“…This finding is consistent with previous research, which indicate that PED visitation in youths was increasing and the largest increase was found in adolescents due SA or self-inflicted injury. 18 22 23 SA and NSSI have been reported to be prevalent in Korean children and adolescents, 10 11 12 24 25 and our study showed that more Korean youths are presenting to the PED for psychiatric problems, especially those relating to suicidality and NSSI. Considering these results together, the PED has a significant role in the acute management of high-risk psychiatric children and adolescents.…”

“… 2 7 8 9 Although little research on the prevalence of NSSI in the Korean population is present, NSSI is commonly observed among Korean adolescents with a prevalence of at least 8.8% to 9.2%. 10 11 12 SA and NSSI have a profound impact on families and communities and incur massive societal costs. 13 14 Hence, considerable clinical attention is warranted to develop preventive strategies.…”

Self-Injurious Behavior in Community Youth

“…Recent studies conducted in Korea investigating self-injurious behavior in middle and high school students report varying degrees of lifetime prevalence, ranging from 8.8% to 22.8%; some studies find that the age of onset of self-injury is 12.4~13.8, which is similar to studies conducted overseas [ 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 ]. As a result of the Adolescent Personality and Mental Health Problems Screening Questionnaire conducted by the Korean Ministry of Education for all middle and high school students in Korea in 2018, the number of first-year middle school students who reported that they had engaged in self-harm was about 40,500/514,710 (7.9%), and about 30,000/514,710 (6.4%) in the first year of high school reported self-harm experiences [ 14 ].…”

“…The results of preceding research that insist affect regulation is the key function of self-injury and negative emotional states are the proximal risk factors of self-injurious behavior, indicate that further investigations should focus on negative emotion as a critical factor triggering self-injurious behavior. Many studies have identified depression as the risk factor predicting self-injurious behavior in Korea and abroad [ 10 , 11 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 ], and anxiety [ 10 , 39 , 40 ]. They are also strong proximal risk factors for self-injury [ 43 ].…”

Clinical Characteristics of Non-Suicidal Self-Injury and Suicide Attempts among Psychiatric Patients in Korea: A Retrospective Chart Review

“…14 According to a recent systematic review of NSSI studies in Korea, which reviewed empirical studies conducted from 2000 to 2018, 14 depression and anxiety were reported as emotional factors predicting NSSI. [15][16][17][18][19] Negative urgency, defined as a tendency to act rashly when experiencing negative emotionality, was also suggested as predicting NSSI. 20 In addition, anger has been shown to significantly increase the frequency of the NSSI, which was more prevalent among women compared to men.…”