Understanding of self-harm behaviour in adolescents

Abstract

Introduction

The incidence and prevalence of self-harm behaviour, with or without suicidal intent, is on the rise, both in other countries as well as in Croatia. Understanding the nature of patients who show self-harm behaviour can help us to better understand the components that contribute to their morbidity and mortality.

Objectives

To expand the understanding of self-harm behaviour in adolescents as a contribution to the planning and implementation of preventive and curative programs.

Aims

To explore the psychopathological characteristics of adolescents with and without self-harm behaviour who seek psychiatric help for their mental health problems.

Methods

In this study participated 150 adolescents, aged 14–18 years, of which 52% showed some form of self-harm behaviour. During the initial examination of child and adolescent psychiatrist, participants completed self-reported questionnaires: functional assessment of self-mutilation (FASM, 1997) and the youth self report (YSR, 2001).

Results

Statistically significant difference between groups of female adolescents with and without self-harm behaviour was observed in all of eight problem scales, while in male adolescents it was observed in five of them. This indicates considerably higher level of psychopathological features in the group of patients with self-harm behaviour.

Conclusions

It is necessary to intensify monitoring of adolescents who show self-harm behaviour because of the overall level of psychopathological symptoms and the comorbidity which significantly complicates the therapeutic process. It is particularly important to continuously assess the suicide risk.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.