Deliberate self-harm in 14-year-old adolescents: how frequent is it, and how is it associated with psychopathology, relationship variables, and styles of emotional regulation?

Cogn Behav Ther. 2008;37(1):26-37. doi: 10.1080/16506070701778951.

Abstract

Deliberate self-harm was studied in 14-year-old adolescents from four schools in southern Sweden with a test-retest design, using a nine-item version of the Deliberate Self-Harm Inventory. At Time 1, 40.2% of the adolescents indicated deliberate self-harm on at least one occasion compared with 36.5% at Time 2. Test-retest data showed high stability over periods of up to 2 months in duration. Cross-validation of the results from Time 1 to Time 2 showed robust correlations between deliberate self-harm and general psychopathology, a relative absence of positive feelings toward parents, and a ruminative style of emotional regulation. Further, rumination/negative thinking and a relative absence of positive feelings toward parents were predictors of self-harm independently of general psychopathology. In addition, deliberate self-harm correlated with symptoms of eating disorder and negative body esteem in girls.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Affective Symptoms / epidemiology*
  • Comorbidity
  • Feeding and Eating Disorders / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Male
  • Regression Analysis
  • Risk Factors
  • Self Concept
  • Self-Injurious Behavior / epidemiology*
  • Self-Injurious Behavior / psychology*
  • Social Behavior Disorders / epidemiology
  • Sweden / epidemiology