Objective: To explore the quantitative importance and clinical features of deliberate self-harm (DSH) contagion in a closed adolescent psychiatric unit.
Method: The authors investigated with statistical methods and a sociogram whether acts of DSH were clustered during a 12-month study period. Twelve subjects were involved in acts of DSH, and their mean length of hospitalization during the study period was about 90 days. Six adolescents with four or more contagion incidents were interviewed.
Results: DSH incidents were clustered during the study period (p < .05). Most DSH incidents were skin cutting committed by depressed female subjects with borderline personality disorder. The majority of DSH contagion can be understood in terms of small-group rites for feelings of togetherness.
Conclusions: Even a majority of DSH events in closed adolescent units may be triggered by contagion, and DSH can spread to previously DSH-naive adolescents.