Citation

Palmer C, Connor C, Channa S, Lavis A, Leung N, Parsons N, Birchwood M. Suicide Life Threat. Behav. 2018; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Affiliation

Mental Health & Well-being, University of Warwick Medical School, Coventry, UK.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, American Association of Suicidology, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/sltb.12512

PMID

30178563

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Self-harm remains a serious public health concern; however, identifying adolescents at risk is challenging. While self-harm has been linked with difficulties in emotional regulation postinjury, comparatively little is known about how such difficulties may impact on the future development of self-harm behavior.

METHODS: A total of 318 pupils aged 14-15 years completed measures on history of direct self-injurious behavior (D-SIB), emotional regulation, depression, and anxiety at two time points across a six-month period.

RESULTS: Of 13% (42) of participants reported their first episode of D-SIB over the six-month period and reported increased difficulties with emotional regulation prior to initial D-SIB. Regression analyses found significant associations for emotional regulation and specifically lack of emotional clarity prior to first episode of D-SIB. Lack of emotional awareness and difficulties with impulse control was significantly associated in those with ongoing D-SIB.

CONCLUSIONS: Prior to first episode of D-SIB, young people may experience difficulty regulating emotions, a difficulty which appears less pronounced following their engagement with D-SIB. Our findings implicate difficulties in the early evaluation and understanding of emotions which may later impair attempts at emotion modulation and increase risk of D-SIB. Such findings might help inform early identification of adolescents at risk of initial D-SIB.

© 2018 The American Association of Suicidology.

Language: en