title: Self-injury in incarcerated juvenile females: contributions of mental health and traumatic experiences.
abstract: Despite evidence supporting a connection between child maltreatment and self-injury, there is disagreement regarding a particular connection to sexual abuse because types of trauma exposure often co-occur. To examine these associations efficiently, we considered a sample of incarcerated juvenile females, where rates of both trauma exposure and self-injury would be expected to be elevated. Adolescent females (N = 220) reported on history of self-injurious behavior on the Voiced Index of Self-injurious Actions, as well as psychiatric disorder. A common set of features was associated with cutting and with self-injury in general. Both were more likely in those initiating delinquent activities when younger and in those currently meeting criteria for major depressive disorder, or with a previous suicide attempt. Adjusting for those features, report of self-injury was approximately doubled among those disclosing prior traumatic exposure that was sexual, OR = 2.66, 95% CI [1.38, 5.15], or nonsexual, OR = 2.18, 95% CI [1.17, 4.04]. Exposure to early traumatic events, such as child maltreatment, likely contributes to a set of adverse experiences, including delinquent activity, mood disorder, and self-injury. Findings contribute to work demonstrating the importance of dissociation both as a consequence of victimization and as a key feature underlying self-injurious behavior.
authors: Center for the Promotion ofMentalHealth in Juvenile Justice, Division ofMentalHealth Services and Policy Research, Columbia University/ New York State Psychiatric Institute, 1051 Riverside Drive (Unit 78), New York, New York 10032, USA. mcreynol@nyspi.columbia.edu
authors: Larkin S
authors: LS
authors: McReynolds
authors: Gail A
authors: GA
authors: Wasserman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D019548:Crime Victims / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D009329:Nebraska / Q000453:epidemiology; D011329:Prisoners / Q000523:psychology*; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*