Self-Injurious Behavior in Community Youth

Abstract

The rapid increase of self-injurious behavior among Korean adolescents, and its reckless spread on social media, has driven the necessity to study this behavior. The present study investigates the characteristics of self-injurious behavior among adolescents in local communities, and the psychological factors affecting such behavior. Questionnaires were administered to 516 sixth graders in elementary school and first to third graders in middle school of both genders, nationwide. They measured the prevalence and characteristics of self-injurious behavior and the relevant psychological factors, such as levels of depression, anxiety, and self-esteem. Furthermore, group differences were assessed for self-injury experience and the characteristics relevant to self-injurious behavior. In addition, this study performs logistic regression to explore the risk factors predicting self-injurious behavior. In all, 166 participants (32.2%) reported self-injury, with a higher rate of self-injury in female students than in male students. Although the study finds high rates of mild forms of self-injury, such as “biting”, “pulling hair,” and “hitting self”, it also finds relatively high reports of more risky methods, such as “cutting or carving”. The logistic regression shows a significant effect of the negative self-image sub-factor of depression (CDI) and oversensitivity and physical and sleep problems sub-factors of anxiety (RCMAS) on self-injurious behavior. The rates of self-injury were higher in female participants than in male ones, and adolescents in local communities reported higher rates of mild forms of self-injury than the moderate/severe forms. The results of this study suggest that early screenings and interventions should be conducted through evaluation of self-image and emotional stability of early adolescents to hinder the risk of self-harm.

Global prevalence and characteristics of non-suicidal self-injury between 2010 and 2021 among a non-clinical sample of adolescents: A meta-analysis

“…It is possible that adolescents rarely opt to swallow drugs/toxic substances/chemicals because of their preference for sensory stimulation: more physically involved attempts at self-harm may stimulate the senses more quickly and speed up the reactionary feeling of control. Although another study in 516 Korean adolescents found the incidence of cutting injury was high (19.3%) ( 82 ), the prevalence was only 7.0% in our meta-analysis. This may be related to the difficulty in acquiring dangerous goods in some countries, such as blades and sharp tools, or cutting injury was scary and bloody for most adolescents.…”

Apego a los padres, a los iguales y adicción a internet en la relación entre depresión y autolesión en adolescentes mexicanos

“…Como ya se ha demostrado que ALNS al ser un mecanismo de afrontamiento evitativoemocional que alivia un estado perturbador asociado a emociones negativas y en algunas ocasiones vinculado a disociación de ideas e ideas irracionales que en conjunto disminuyen la probabilidad de resolver las dificultades del adolescente y lo envuelven en una esfera de desesperanza y depresión (Son et al, 2021), según los datos obtenidos en este estudio, la mitad de la población podría mejorar sus estrategias de enfrentamiento y disminuir el uso de ALNS tan solo motivando a los padres para mejorar la comunicación con los hijos y monitorear el uso del internet manteniéndolo bajo control, evitando el uso adictivo.…”

Self-harm in sexually abused adolescents: The role of posttraumatic symptoms, emotional impulsivity, and negative cognition.

“…In particular, self-harm among adolescents has been recognized as a significant public mental health issue worldwide, as it tends to begin in adolescence and be recurrent (Rahman et al, 2021). A recent study in South Korea reported that a high percentage of adolescents (more than 30%) in the general community engaged in self-injurious behavior (Son et al, 2021).…”