Citation

Duarte E, Gouveia-Pereira M, Gomes HS. Psychiatr. Q. 2019; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Affiliation

CIPsi - Psychology Research Center, Victims, Offenders and Justice System Research Unit, School of Psychology, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1007/s11126-019-09660-1

PMID

31385122

Abstract

Deliberate self-harm (DSH) is a public health problem that mainly affects adolescents and young adults. Evidence suggests that multiple methods are used with a self-aggressive intent. The present article focuses on the development and factorial validation of the Inventory of Deliberate Self-harm Behaviours for Portuguese adolescents. This instrument assesses the lifetime frequency of 13 DSH methods, with and without suicidal intent. Study 1 consisted of an exploratory factor analysis with a sample of 131 adolescents with a reported history of DSH.

RESULTS revealed a three-factor structure with acceptable internal consistency: High Severity DSH, Mild Severity DSH, and Substance Use DSH. After item reduction, this structure was tested in Study 2 through a confirmatory factor analysis with an independent sample of 109 adolescents also with a history of DSH.

RESULTS showed an acceptable model fit. This instrument presents a solid structure and acceptable psychometric properties, allowing its use in further research.

Language: en

Keywords

Adolescents; Deliberate self-harm; Factor analysis; Methods; Validation