Self-harm in adolescence: a marker for psychosocial problems in early adulthood

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 163-164
Author(s):  
Sarah Steeg
Keyword(s):  
Early Adulthood ◽  
Psychosocial Problems ◽  
Self Harm

Psychosocial Treatments for Early Psychosis

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael T Compton ◽  
Beth Broussard
Keyword(s):  
Social Skills ◽  
Psychotic Disorder ◽  
Psychosocial Development ◽  
Leisure Activities ◽  
Early Adulthood ◽  
Psychosocial Problems ◽  
Work Relationships ◽  
Positive Symptoms ◽  
Psychosocial Treatments ◽  
School Work

People experiencing psychosis often have to deal with a number of problems. These problems may stem from certain symptoms. As explained in Chapter 2, these symptoms may include positive symptoms (such as hearing voices or having unusual beliefs), negative symptoms (such as being isolated, withdrawn, or slow), cognitive dysfunction (such as difficulties with attention, learning, or memory), and other types of symptoms. However, psychosocial difficulties (like problems with school, work, relationships, and recreation/leisure activities) may disrupt life as well, even though they are not necessarily thought of as symptoms. Unfortunately, these types of problems are very common for people dealing with a psychotic disorder. Treating the se difficulties in addition to the specific symptoms is necessary to begin to feel better and to live a full life. In fact, the recovery process focuses as much on resuming school, work, relationships, and leisure activities as it does on remission (see Chapter 11 on Promoting Recovery). Although medicines are extremely important in treating symptoms, especially positive symptoms (see Chapter 6 on Medicines Used to Treat Psychosis), another type of treatments, called psychosocial treatments, focus more on helping patients with these broader problems. Normal psychosocial development begins in childhood but continues throughout adolescence and early adulthood. Adolescence and early adulthood are extremely important times when most people develop social skills and build relationships. Late adolescence and early adulthood is typically a time of finishing high school, starting college, getting a first job, having a first romantic relationship, beginning to live more independently from parents, buying a car, and establishing career goals. Success in all of these domains of life requires both psychological skills and social skills. The term psychosocial brings together these two words. So, psychosocial development refers to the important developmental stage when psychological and social skills mature. Unfortunately, for people who develop a psychotic disorder, late adolescence and early adulthood is the period of time when a first episode of psychosis usually begins. Thus, psychosis that first happens in this time period often interrupts psychosocial development, leading to psychosocial problems. Psychosocial problems refer to difficulties at school, at work, in relationships, or in recreation and leisure activities.

scholarly journals Longitudinal Examination of Physical and Relational Aggression as Precursors to Later Problem Behaviors in Adolescents

2009 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Todd I. Herrenkohl ◽  
Richard F. Catalano ◽  
Sheryl A. Hemphill ◽  
John W. Toumbourou
Keyword(s):  
Problem Behaviors ◽  
Relational Aggression ◽  
Psychosocial Problems ◽  
Washington State ◽  
Relationally Aggressive ◽  
Ongoing Behavior ◽  
Self Harm ◽  
Ninth Grade Students ◽  
School Commitment ◽  
Longitudinal Examination

Research has addressed the consequences of being a victim of physical and relational aggression but less so the consequences of being an aggressor during adolescence. Consequently, relatively little is known about the extent to which aggression in early adolescence increases the risk of later aggression and other psychosocial problems. This study involves a representative sample of seventh- and ninth-grade students from Washington State (N = 1,942). Students were surveyed on recruitment and then again 1 and 2 years later to learn about ongoing behavior problems, substance use, depression, and self-harm behaviors. Surveys also included measures of several hypothesized promotive factors: attachment to family, school commitment, and academic achievement. Findings suggest that being physically and/or relationally aggressive in grades 7 to 9 increases the risk of aggression and possibly other problem behaviors after accounting for age, gender, race, and a prior measure of each outcome. Independent promotive effects were observed in most analyses, although family attachment appeared a less robust predictor overall. Implications for prevention include acting on the behavior itself and enhancing promotive influences to lessen the risk of agression and other related problems.

Part 1: Borderline Personality Disorder and Its Clinical Features

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Biskin ◽  
Joel Paris
Keyword(s):  
Borderline Personality Disorder ◽  
Personality Disorder ◽  
Early Adulthood ◽  
Psychosocial Factor ◽  
Diagnostic System ◽  
Childhood Adversity ◽  
Borderline Personality ◽  
Clinical Settings ◽  
Self Harm ◽  
Genetic And Environmental Factors

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is routinely encountered in all clinical settings and has been stigmatized and perceived as a difficult disorder to manage. Over the past 25 years, significant gains in our understanding of the diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes of the disorder have helped improve the lives of these patients. BPD is now understood to begin in adolescence and early adulthood, with a generally positive course and reductions in symptoms of self-harm and suicidality within several years of diagnosis. BPD is best understood as developing through an interaction between genetic and environmental factors. No clear biological features have been consistently identified yet, and similarly, no clear psychosocial factor, including childhood adversity or sexual abuse, is causative for BPD. Clearly separating BPD from other disorders, particularly bipolar disorder, is an important consideration and required to ensure proper care. Comorbid disorders, including other personality disorder, are frequent problems that partially reflect a challenge with the current diagnostic system that has not yet been resolved. Although the symptomatic outcome of patients with BPD is very good, functional outcomes, such as holding work and relationships, is more challenging for many patients, and suicide remains a risk in patients with this disorder. This review contains 2 figures, 4 tables, and 102 references. Key words: borderline personality disorder, outcome, personality disorder, self-harm, suicide

scholarly journals Outcomes of occasional cannabis use in adolescence: 10-year follow-up study in Victoria, Australia

2010 ◽  
Vol 196 (4) ◽  
pp. 290-295 ◽  
Author(s):  
Louisa Degenhardt ◽  
Carolyn Coffey ◽  
John B. Carlin ◽  
Wendy Swift ◽  
Elya Moore ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drug Use ◽  
Young Adulthood ◽  
Educational Achievement ◽  
Early Adulthood ◽  
Psychosocial Problems ◽  
Cannabis Use ◽  
School Students ◽  
Post Secondary ◽  
Potential Risk Factors ◽  
Drug Use Outcomes

BackgroundRegular adolescent cannabis use predicts a range of later drug use and psychosocial problems. Little is known about whether occasional cannabis use carries similar risks.AimsTo examine associations between occasional cannabis use during adolescence and psychosocial and drug use outcomes in young adulthood; and modification of these associations according to the trajectory of cannabis use between adolescence and age 20 years, and other potential risk factors.MethodA 10-year eight-wave cohort study of a representative sample of 1943 secondary school students followed from 14.9 years to 24 years.ResultsOccasional adolescent cannabis users who continued occasional use into early adulthood had higher risks of later alcohol and tobacco dependence and illicit drug use, as well as being less likely to complete a post-secondary qualification than non-users. Those using cannabis at least weekly either during adolescence or at age 20 were at highest risk of drug use problems in young adulthood. Adjustment for smoking in adolescence reduced the association with later educational achievement, but associations with drug use problems remained.ConclusionsOccasional adolescent cannabis use predicts later drug use and educational problems. Partial mediation by tobacco use raises a possibility that differential peer affiliation may play a role.

scholarly journals Intrapersonal and Interpersonal Functions as Pathways to Future Self-Harm Repetition and Suicide Attempts

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathryn Jane Gardner ◽  
Elise Paul ◽  
Edward A. Selby ◽  
E. David Klonsky ◽  
Becky Mars
Keyword(s):  
Suicide Attempts ◽  
Early Adulthood ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Parents And Children ◽  
Self Harm ◽  
Future Self ◽  
Prospective Risk ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Regulatory Functions ◽  
Over Time

Background: Research has identified functions of non-suicidal self-harm/self-injury (NSSH) but whether functions change over time, from adolescence to early adulthood, or predict the continuation of the behavior prospectively remains unclear. This study aimed to prospectively explore whether intrapersonal and interpersonal NSSH functions in adolescence predict repetition of self-harm (regardless of suicidal intent) and incident suicide attempts in early adulthood.Methods: Participants were 528 individuals with NSSH at age 16 years from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC), a population-based birth cohort in the UK. Descriptive statistics were used to explore changes in functions over time from age 16 to 21, and logistic regression used to examine associations between NSSH functions and repeat self-harm and suicide attempts at age 21, 24, and 25 years.Findings: The majority of 16-year-olds with NSSH endorsed intrapersonal (e.g., affect regulatory) functions only (73% at 16 years and 64% at 21 years). Just under half of adolescents (42%) and three quarters of 21 years olds reported more than one function simultaneously. A greater number of intrapersonal functions at 16 years independently predicted future repetition of self-harm at ages 21–25 years, over and above interpersonal functions (OR = 1.46, 95% CI 1.06–2.01). Interpersonal functions during adolescence did not predict repeat self-harm or suicide attempts in adulthood.Discussion: Our findings suggest that intrapersonal but not interpersonal NSSH functions are a prospective risk factor for future self-harm and might also predict incident suicide attempts. The results highlight the central role of underlying affective difficulties and motivations in self-harm maintenance.

An interpretative phenomenological analysis of the experience of self-harm repetition and recovery in young adults

2016 ◽  
Vol 22 (13) ◽  
pp. 1631-1641 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruth Wadman ◽  
David Clarke ◽  
Kapil Sayal ◽  
Panos Vostanis ◽  
Marie Armstrong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Coping Skills ◽  
Early Adulthood ◽  
Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Support Strategies ◽  
Self Harm

Six young adults (aged 19–21 years) with repeat self-harm for over 5 years were interviewed about their self-harm, why they continued and what factors might help them to stop. Interpretative phenomenological analysis identified six themes: keeping self-harm private and hidden; self-harm as self-punishment; self-harm provides relief and comfort; habituation and escalation of self-harm; emotional gains and practical costs of cutting, and not believing they will stop completely. Young adults presented self-harm as an ingrained and purposeful behaviour which they could not stop, despite the costs and risks in early adulthood. Support strategies focused on coping skills, not just eradicating self-harm, are required.

Victimization, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptomatology, and Later Nonsuicidal Self-Harm in a Birth Cohort

2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (18) ◽  
pp. 3667-3681 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shyamala Nada-Raja ◽  
Keren Skegg
Keyword(s):  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Sexual Abuse ◽  
Childhood Sexual Abuse ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Anxiety Disorders ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Depressive Disorders ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Early Adulthood ◽  
Self Harm

This longitudinal population-based study examined pathways to nonsuicidal self-harm (NSSH) in relation to childhood sexual abuse (CSA), assault victimization in early adulthood, posttraumatic stress disorder symptomatology (PTSD), and other mental disorders. At age 21, 476 men and 455 women completed interviews on assault victimization, PTSD, and other mental disorders. At age 26, they completed independent interviews on self-harm and childhood sexual abuse (CSA). Multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine predictors for NSSH at age 26. For men, anxiety and depressive disorders at age 21 were the only significant predictors of NSSH at age 26. For women, victimization, PTSD, and other anxiety disorders at age 21 all significantly predicted NSSH. CSA predicted later NSSH only indirectly, by increasing the risk of anxiety disorders among men and of assault victimization among women. In conclusion, pathways to nonsuicidal self-harm differed by sex. For women there were direct links with assault victimization and PTSD in early adulthood, whereas for men only internalizing disorders predicted future NSSH.

Psychosocial factors in older heroin-dependent patients in treatment

2011 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 79-83
Author(s):  
Harvinder Sidhu ◽  
Peter Crome ◽  
Ilana B Crome
Keyword(s):  
Psychosocial Factors ◽  
Psychosocial Problems ◽  
Criminal History ◽  
Psychosocial Characteristics ◽  
Major Life ◽  
Life Event ◽  
Self Harm ◽  
Memory Disturbance ◽  
Retention In Treatment ◽  
The Uk

SummaryThe psychosocial characteristics of older heroin-dependent patients (defined as 45 years and over) attending a specialist addiction clinic in Stoke on Trent, UK were studied using retrospective record analysis of the case notes of the 20 oldest heroin-dependent patients. This study draws attention to the multiple psychosocial problems facing ageing heroin addicts. On average, patients were 48 years old, had first been exposed to heroin at age 29, 85% were injectors and the majority were polydrug users. In 20% a major life event had preceded first use of heroin. Nineteen were male, 17 were single, only 10% were employed, while just 10% did not have a criminal history. Depression, self-harm and memory disturbance were frequently reported. Retention in treatment was a feature, with consequent improvements including reduction in criminality and injecting behaviour. However, there is little specific guidance on treatment, training or policy for this group in the UK.

scholarly journals “It doesn’t stop when you get to 18”: experiences of self-harm in adults

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Melanie Boyce
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Early Adulthood ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Online Study ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Shame And Guilt ◽  
Self Harm ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose Self-harm can affect people of all ages, yet the high prevalence rate in adolescents and the potential risk factor of suicide in adults 60 years and above has meant research has tended to focus within these areas. Therefore, the purpose of this exploratory study is to examine the experiences of self-harm in people from early adulthood to late middle age to gain greater insight and understanding in this underexplored area. Design/methodology/approach An online open-ended survey was used to collect the data from a UK user-led moderated online forum that supports people who self-harm. Findings Thematic data analysis indicates that feelings of shame and guilt were intensified, due to the double stigma participants face as adults that self-harm. Although most participants had seen a reduction in the frequency of their self-harm many experienced an increase in the severity of harm. In not fitting the assumed typical profile of someone that self-harm participants often struggled to gain formal support. Research limitations/implications This was a small-scale online survey; hence, it is not possible to generalise the findings to all adults who self-harm. Practical implications The findings from this research provide evidence that greater recognition needs to be given to the reality that self-harm can affect people of all ages. As a result, access to support needs to be widened as a means of supporting those who do not fit the typical profile of someone who self-harms. Originality/value This exploratory online study provides insights around the tensions and challenges facing adults that self-harm, which remains an under-researched and largely ignored area.

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