Abstract
To determine the frequency and correlates of nonsuicidal physically self-damaging acts in 12-14 year olds, a two stage epidemiologic survey with a self-administered questionnaire (N=3283) followed by a psychiatric interview of a subsample of the adolescents and their parents (N=444) was used. Prevalence estimates of interview validated nonsuicidal physically self-damaging acts were 2.46% in males and 2.79% in females. Significant relationships were found between nonsuicidal physically self-damaging acts and suicidal ideation, major depression and undesirable life events. Data suggest that physically self-damaging acts occur at substantial rates during early adolescence. The strong correlation between nonsuicidal self-destructive acts and both suicidal ideation and major depression clarifies prior conflicting reports in the literature and suggests that a history of self-damaging acts should be taken into consideration when evaluating for possible depression and suicide risk.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 339-352 |
Number of pages | 14 |
Journal | Journal of Child and Family Studies |
Volume | 2 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Dec 1 1993 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- adolescence
- self-injurious behavior
- self-mutilation
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Developmental and Educational Psychology
- Life-span and Life-course Studies