Closing in on Crisis: Informing Clinical Practice Regarding Nonsuicidal Self-Injury in Youth.
Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) in youth is a major public health concern. A retrospective chart review was conducted within a hospital system to examine (a) youth self-reports of reasons for engaging in NSSI and (b) additional contextual circumstances that may contribute to youth NSSI. Detailed history, physical examination, and treatment/discharge data were extracted by thoroughly reviewing all electronic documents in each medical record. The final sample (N = 135) were predominantly female (71.1%), and well over half (63.8%) reported Medicaid or uninsured status. Qualitative content analysis of youth self-reports and hospital progress notes showed that NSSI served as an emotional and functional coping mechanism. Five primary themes characterized the contextual influences on youth engaging in NSSI: (1) Personal Emotions, (2) Trauma, (3) Relationship Quality, (4) Sense of Loss, and (5) Risk Behaviors. Practical clinical practice suggestions for working with youth are discussed using these themes as a template for assessing risk and protective factors.
Cara C
CC
Young
Amanda J
AJ
Simonton
Stephanie
S
Key
Amanda N
AN
Barczyk
Karla A
KA
Lawson
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012649:Self Concept; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D012931:Social Environment; D059020:Suicidal Ideation; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
Nonsuicidal self-injury; risk factors; youth