%0 Journal Article %T Nonsuicidal self-injury among a representative sample of US adolescents, 2015 %J American journal of public health %D 2018 %A Monto, Martin A. %A McRee, Nick %A Deryck, Frank S. %V 108 %N 8 %P 1042-1048 %X OBJECTIVES: To provide prevalence estimates of adolescent nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) based on large, representative, nonclinical samples of high-school students, and to explore gender differences in health risks associated with NSSI.

METHODS: We used 2015 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System data to estimate the prevalence of self-injury and variables potentially associated with self-injury for high-school-age boys (n = 32 150) and girls (n = 32 521) in 11 US states. We used logistic regression analysis to consider associations between NSSI and other health risks.

RESULTS: Rates of boys reporting purposefully hurting themselves without wanting to die over the past 12 months ranged from 6.4% (Delaware) to 14.8% (Nevada). Rates for girls varied from 17.7% (Delaware) to 30.8% (Idaho). Rates declined with age and varied by race and ethnicity. Depression; suicidal thoughts, plans, and attempts; sexual minority status; being electronically bullied; smoking; and substance use were associated with NSSI. There were minor differences in associations between NSSI and health risk variables by gender.

CONCLUSIONS: Nonclinical populations of adolescents are at high risk for self-injury. Nonsuicidal self-injury was higher among girls than among boys, but patterns of association with other health risks were similar. (Am J Public Health. Published online ahead of print June 21, 2018: e1-e7. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2018.304470).

Language: en

%G en %I American Public Health Association %@ 0090-0036 %U http://dx.doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2018.304470