Nonsuicidal self-injury among adolescents with disorders of emotion and behavior: Clinical characteristics and association with suicidality

Introduction: Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) is defined as a separate entity in the fifth version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V) as a "condition for further study". Although the NSSI is not driven by suicidal intention, studies do show its association...

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Main Authors: Lero Marija, Živanović Dušan, Mitković-Vončina Marija
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: University of Belgrade, Medical Faculty 2019-01-01
Series:Medicinski Podmladak
Subjects:
Online Access:https://scindeks-clanci.ceon.rs/data/pdf/0369-1527/2019/0369-15271903032L.pdf
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author Lero Marija
Živanović Dušan
Mitković-Vončina Marija
author_facet Lero Marija
Živanović Dušan
Mitković-Vončina Marija
author_sort Lero Marija
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) is defined as a separate entity in the fifth version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V) as a "condition for further study". Although the NSSI is not driven by suicidal intention, studies do show its association with suicidal phenomena, but this relationship is still unclear. Aim: The aim of this paper was to examine the characteristics of the NSSI phenomenon among adolescents with disorders of emotion and behavior, with special emphasis on its association with suicidal behavior. Material and methods: The study included 100 older adolescents with depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, adjustment disorders and mixed disorders of conduct and emotion, who were treated in day hospital. The data was obtained from the existing medical records and included information on NSSI and suicidal phenomena, psychiatric symptoms, diagnoses, rating scales for depression and global functioning, and data from personal and family history. Results: In our sample, the NSSI was more common in girls, and among younger adolescents. When it comes to clinical characteristics, this phenomenon was associated with higher depression symptom scores at admission and discharge, the presence of hypobulia-anhedonia, panic attacks, tension and restlessness, hetero-aggressive manifestations, more frequent use of alcohol and borderline personality disorder. It was also significantly associated with the presence of suicidal ideation during life, as well as with more severe suicidality level. In NSSI patients, suicidal attempts were more common among those who were neglected in childhood, with younger age of maltreatment onset, those with lower global functioning on admission, with cognitive problems, and with problematic compliance at admission. Conclusion: The high prevalence of NSSI in our sample, as well as numerous clinical features associated with it, may speak in favor of this phenomenon as a separate diagnostic entity. The observed association with suicide can be of clinical significance in terms of directing preventive steps.
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spelling doaj.art-982cf250e74940e58d013b6c9fa76a0c2022-12-22T03:39:39ZengUniversity of Belgrade, Medical FacultyMedicinski Podmladak0369-15272466-55252019-01-0170332380369-15271903032LNonsuicidal self-injury among adolescents with disorders of emotion and behavior: Clinical characteristics and association with suicidalityLero Marija0Živanović Dušan1Mitković-Vončina Marija2Univerzitet u Beogradu, Medicinski fakultet, BeogradUniverzitet u Beogradu, Medicinski fakultet, BeogradUniverzitet u Beogradu, Medicinski fakultet, Beograd + Institut za mentalno zdravlje u Beogradu, BeogradIntroduction: Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) is defined as a separate entity in the fifth version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V) as a "condition for further study". Although the NSSI is not driven by suicidal intention, studies do show its association with suicidal phenomena, but this relationship is still unclear. Aim: The aim of this paper was to examine the characteristics of the NSSI phenomenon among adolescents with disorders of emotion and behavior, with special emphasis on its association with suicidal behavior. Material and methods: The study included 100 older adolescents with depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, adjustment disorders and mixed disorders of conduct and emotion, who were treated in day hospital. The data was obtained from the existing medical records and included information on NSSI and suicidal phenomena, psychiatric symptoms, diagnoses, rating scales for depression and global functioning, and data from personal and family history. Results: In our sample, the NSSI was more common in girls, and among younger adolescents. When it comes to clinical characteristics, this phenomenon was associated with higher depression symptom scores at admission and discharge, the presence of hypobulia-anhedonia, panic attacks, tension and restlessness, hetero-aggressive manifestations, more frequent use of alcohol and borderline personality disorder. It was also significantly associated with the presence of suicidal ideation during life, as well as with more severe suicidality level. In NSSI patients, suicidal attempts were more common among those who were neglected in childhood, with younger age of maltreatment onset, those with lower global functioning on admission, with cognitive problems, and with problematic compliance at admission. Conclusion: The high prevalence of NSSI in our sample, as well as numerous clinical features associated with it, may speak in favor of this phenomenon as a separate diagnostic entity. The observed association with suicide can be of clinical significance in terms of directing preventive steps.https://scindeks-clanci.ceon.rs/data/pdf/0369-1527/2019/0369-15271903032L.pdfnonsuicidal self-injuryself-harmadolescentssuicidality
spellingShingle Lero Marija
Živanović Dušan
Mitković-Vončina Marija
Nonsuicidal self-injury among adolescents with disorders of emotion and behavior: Clinical characteristics and association with suicidality
Medicinski Podmladak
nonsuicidal self-injury
self-harm
adolescents
suicidality
title Nonsuicidal self-injury among adolescents with disorders of emotion and behavior: Clinical characteristics and association with suicidality
title_full Nonsuicidal self-injury among adolescents with disorders of emotion and behavior: Clinical characteristics and association with suicidality
title_fullStr Nonsuicidal self-injury among adolescents with disorders of emotion and behavior: Clinical characteristics and association with suicidality
title_full_unstemmed Nonsuicidal self-injury among adolescents with disorders of emotion and behavior: Clinical characteristics and association with suicidality
title_short Nonsuicidal self-injury among adolescents with disorders of emotion and behavior: Clinical characteristics and association with suicidality
title_sort nonsuicidal self injury among adolescents with disorders of emotion and behavior clinical characteristics and association with suicidality
topic nonsuicidal self-injury
self-harm
adolescents
suicidality
url https://scindeks-clanci.ceon.rs/data/pdf/0369-1527/2019/0369-15271903032L.pdf
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AT zivanovicdusan nonsuicidalselfinjuryamongadolescentswithdisordersofemotionandbehaviorclinicalcharacteristicsandassociationwithsuicidality
AT mitkovicvoncinamarija nonsuicidalselfinjuryamongadolescentswithdisordersofemotionandbehaviorclinicalcharacteristicsandassociationwithsuicidality