Non-suicidal self-injury, youth, and the Internet: What mental health professionals need to know

AbstractPurposeLittle is known about the clinical characteristics and motivations for engaging in non-suicide self-injury (NSSI) behaviors in adolescence. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence, characteristics and functions of NSSI among adolescents in community settings, and to explore risk factors related to this behavior.Subjects and methodsTwo hundred and seventy-five adolescents aged 12 to 17 were recruited randomly from different High Schools in Israel. They completed self-report questionnaires assessing NSSI (Ottawa Self-Injury Inventory), depression (Children's Depression Inventory – CDI) and impulsivity (Barratt Impulsiveness Scale – BIS-II).ResultsIn the past year, 20.7% of the participants reported engaging NSSI at least once. Among them, 42.1% declared they are still engaging in NSSI at the present. Motives for NSSI were internal emotion regulation reasons, external emotion regulation reasons for social influences. In addition, the NSSI group reported significantly higher levels of depressive, impulsivity and suicidal ideations. Depressive symptoms were found as significant predictors of NSSI in the future.Discussion and conclusionsHigh rates of NSSI among community adolescents were found. Depression, impulsivity and suicidal ideation were found significantly related to NSSI. Mental health professionals in schools and in primary care should routinely assess NSSI among adolescents.

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Influential Factors of Non-suicidal Self-Injury in an Eastern Cultural Context: A Qualitative Study From the Perspective of School Mental Health Professionals

Frontiers in Psychiatry ◽

10.3389/fpsyt.2021.681985 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Xiaoyu Chen ◽

Ying Zhou ◽

Li Li ◽

Yanfei Hou ◽

Ding Liu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Romantic Relationships ◽

Parenting Style ◽

Mental Health Professionals ◽

Health Professionals ◽

Internet Use ◽

Influential Factors ◽

Sex Bias ◽

Academic Pressure ◽

Self Injury

Background: Adolescent non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is becoming a serious public health concern worldwide. In recent years, there has seen a significant increase in both the growth rate and cases of NSSI in Eastern countries, such as Japan, India, and China. In China, most schools have a mental health office that comprises mental health professionals (MHPs), who are the first to respond to student mental health problems, which include NSSI. MHPs possess comprehensive knowledge as well as unique insight into adolescent NSSI. However, very few studies on NSSI have incorporated their perspectives. In this work, we seek to add novel insight by conducting a study focusing on adolescent NSSI from the perspective of MHPs.Methods: We recruited a total of 24 MHPs from different schools using purposive sampling and conducted a semi-structured interview on NSSI-related issues. Each interview was voice recorded and lasted ~30 min. A thematic analysis was performed for the responses to study the most common and concerning issues underlying NSSI.Results: We extracted three major themes and eight sub-themes from the interview records, which included (1) the impact of Chinese culture on NSSI (sex-bias discrimination, overly high expectations, and inappropriate parenting style); (2) life events in school (internet use, academic pressure, and romantic relationships); and (3) opinions on the status quo of NSSI in China (ignorance and stigma).Conclusion: Results showed that culturally sensitive influential factors, such as sex-bias discrimination, the imposing of unrealistic expectations for personal achievement, and inappropriate parenting style, should be given more attention to prevent, assess, and intervene in NSSI. Emerging factors of modern society and adolescent lifestyles, such as academic pressure, internet use, and romantic relationships, should also be considered for treatments.

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Identifying Risk Factors and Enhancing Protective Factors to Prevent Adolescent Victimization on the Internet

Adolescent Online Social Communication and Behavior ◽

10.4018/978-1-60566-926-7.ch010 ◽

2010 ◽

pp. 152-166 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Megan E. Call ◽

Jason J. Burrow-Sanchez

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Risk Factors ◽

Protective Factors ◽

Mental Health Professionals ◽

Health Professionals ◽

Internet Use ◽

The Internet ◽

Accurate Information ◽

Online Victimization ◽

Media Reports

The Internet is widely used among adolescents. Although the Internet is a beneficial tool for youth, some children and adolescents are at risk for being victimized online. Media reports portraying online predators and their victims have received increasing publicity. However, some information in these stories can be inaccurate or misleading. Therefore, it is important that mental health professionals and parents receive accurate information about online victimization in order to protect youth from harm. The purpose of this chapter is to provide research-based information on adolescent Internet use and the risk factors associated with online victimization. Further, recommendations for increasing protective factors are provided as a means to keep youth safe while using the Internet.

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Contagion, Identity, Misinformation

10.1093/oxfordhb/9780198732372.013.15 ◽

2014 ◽

Author(s):

Louis C. Charland

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Social Media ◽

Mental Health Services ◽

Health Services ◽

Personal Identity ◽

Mental Health Professionals ◽

Health Professionals ◽

Emotional Contagion ◽

The Internet ◽

New Challenges

The evolution of the internet and associated social media pose novel challenges for psychiatric ethics. Issues surrounding emotional contagion, personal identity, and misinformation figure importantly among these new challenges, with important consequences for consumers of mental health services, as well as psychiatrists and other mental health professionals. The evolution of the internet and associated social media pose novel challenges for psychiatric ethics. Issues surrounding emotional contagion, personal identity, and misinformation figure importantly among these new challenges, with important consequences for consumers of mental health services, as well as psychiatrists and other mental health professionals.

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