Sex differences in the association between sexual violence victimization and suicidal behaviors among adolescents

The objective of this study was to examine sex differences in the association between sexual violence victimization and suicidal ideation and suicide attempt among adolescents. Data for this study came from the 2017 National Youth Risk Behavior Survey. An analytic sample of 10,475 adolescents aged 14–18 years (52.3% female) was analyzed. We used binary logistic regression to examine the association between sexual violence victimization and suicidal ideation and suicide attempt. We adjusted for the complexity of the sampling design and handled missing data using Multiple Imputation by Chained Equations. About 18% of adolescents experienced suicidal ideation and 7.5% attempted suicide during the past 12 months. About one in ten adolescents (15.5% of females versus 3.6% of males) experienced sexual violence. Controlling for other factors, the odds of reporting suicidal ideation were 1.86 times higher for females who experienced sexual violence (AOR=1.86, 95% CI=1.44–2.42) when compared to their non-victimized counterparts. Females who experienced sexual violence had almost double the odds of making a suicide attempt (AOR=1.94, 95% CI=1.43–2.65) whereas males who experienced sexual violence had more than threefold higher odds of making a suicide attempt (AOR=3.32, 95% CI=2.17–5.08). Understanding the association between sexual violence victimization and suicidal behaviors could contribute to early identification of adolescents who may be at risk of engaging in suicidal behaviors

International prevalence of adolescent non-suicidal self-injury and deliberate self-harm

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The behaviours of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) and deliberate self-harm (DSH) are prevalent among adolescents, and an increase of rates in recent years has been postulated. There is a lack of studies to support this postulation, and comparing prevalence across studies and nations is complicated due to substantial differences in the methodology and nomenclature of existing research.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We conducted a systematic review of current (2005 - 2011) empirical studies reporting on the prevalence of NSSI and DSH in adolescent samples across the globe.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Fifty-two studies fulfilling the inclusion criteria were obtained for analysis. No statistically significant differences were found between NSSI (18.0% SD = 7.3) and DSH (16.1% SD = 11.6) studies. Assessment using single item questions led to lower prevalence rates than assessment with specific behaviour checklists. Mean prevalence rates have not increased in the past five years, suggesting stabilization.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>NSSI and DSH have a comparable prevalence in studies with adolescents from different countries. The field would benefit from adopting a common approach to assessment to aide cross-cultural study and comparisons.</p

Body regard and risk for self-injurious behavior in a sample of clinical and non-clinical adolescents

Includes bibliographical references (pages [132]-148).Clinical interest in self-injurious behavior, deliberate actions that alter or damage body tissue without suicidal intent, has been increasing in recent years. Research points to an increasing prevalence of self-injury among adolescents within both clinical and non-clinical settings. Negative affect such as depression and hopelessness have been found to be affiliated with self-injurious behaviors, and some suicidologists suggest that the experience of mental pain, or psychache, is crucial for any type of self-harm to occur. It has also been postulated that having a dysfunctional attitude towards one's body is associated with a greater propensity for self-injury, yet this has not been explored. The current study examines the importance of the body in self-injury by testing a model in which body regard is specified as a mediator between negative affect, mental pain, and self-injury. Data were collected from 53 adolescent inpatients and 233 high school students. Participants completed measures assessing negative affect, mental pain, body regard, and self-injurious behaviors. Approximately 27% of the sample reported at least one act of self-injurious behavior. Structural equation modeling analyses found support for the hypothesized model but found that mental pain was not significantly associated with self-injury in the current sample. Results also confirmed that body regard fully mediated the relationship between negative affect and self-injury. The supported model was tested for invariance across the sexes, and analyses examining the accuracy of the model between males and females found that the model provided an equivalent fit across the sexes. This finding implies that body regard is a key risk factor for self-injury in both sexes. Implications of these findings are discussed within the context of increasing our understanding of the potential role of the body in self-injury, along with suggestions for existing and future treatments of this behavior.Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy

Nonsuicidal Self-Injury And Suicidality Among Sexual Minority Youth: Risk Factors And Protective Connectedness Factors

Objective We investigated differences in prevalence of repetitive nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI), suicidal ideation, and a suicide attempt among youth who identified as bisexual, gay/lesbian, and questioning. In addition, we examined which types of social connections were associated with reduced risk of repetitive NSSI and suicidality among youth who identified with a specific sexual minority group. Methods Data came from the 2013 Minnesota Student Survey. The analytic sample included 77,758 students in grades 9 and 11. Connectedness factors included parent connectedness, teacher caring, connectedness to other nonparental adults, school safety, and friend caring. Logistic regression analyses, stratified according to sexual minority group, determined social connectedness factors associated with repetitive NSSI, suicidal ideation, and a suicide attempt, as well as moderating effects of significant connectedness factors on different risk factors (depression, anxiety, bullying, and violence victimization). Results Approximately 3% identified as bisexual or questioning their sexual orientation, and \u3c1% identified as gay/lesbian. Sexual minority youth, particularly bisexual youth, were significantly more likely than heterosexual youth to report repetitive NSSI and suicidality. Effects of connectedness varied across sexual minority groups and outcomes on the basis of types of connections. Parent connectedness emerged as a robust protective factor for all self-harm behaviors across all sexual minority groups. Feeling connected to nonparental adults and safe at school represented additional factors that reduced risk of repetitive NSSI and suicidality among certain groups. Conclusions In addition to facilitating connections between youth and parents, clinicians might consider encouraging sexual minority youth to remain connected to trusted nonparental adults who could offer support and care. Schools might consider implementing sociocultural norms of acceptance, tolerance, and positive identity development to reduce risk of self-harm

Suicide Ideation Protective Factors for Sexual/Gender Minority Young Adults

Color poster with text, images, and graphs.Individuals who identify as a sexual and/or gender minority (SGM) report significantly higher rates of suicide ideation than heterosexuals and cis-gendered individuals. Identifying factors that may lead to, or protect against, this discrepancy in risk is important for protecting SGM youth and preventing suicide in this population. Minority Stress Theory (Meyer, 2003) argues that individuals in minority groups often face more hostile and stressful social environments which may contribute to the development of mental health problems and potentially increase risk for suicide. The Interpersonal Theory of Suicide (ITS; Joiner, 2005) argues that suicide ideation emerges from experiences of thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness. The hostile social environments (e.g., minority stress) some SGM individuals encounter may contribute to higher levels of thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness; thus, explaining some of the elevated rates of suicidal ideation in this population (e.g., Hatzenbuehler, et al., 2014). The large majority of studies regarding suicidal ideation among SGM focus on understanding risk factors, and very few look at protective factors. Of the few studies examining potential protective factors, it appears that SGM individuals who have increased self-esteem or who have experienced SGM-positive environments, like having a Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) in one’s high school or cities, have reduced rates of suicidal thinking and attempts. Given there is some evidence that GSA participation and feelings of empowerment/self-esteem are associated with reduced suicidal thinking, we aimed to expand existing research by examining whether both GSA-participation/presence in one’s high school and feelings of empowerment would act as protective factors on the experience of thwarted belongingness or perceived burdensomeness thereby indirectly lowering suicidal thinking.University of Wisconsin--Eau Claire Office of Research and Sponsored Program

Nurse Training, Attitudes and Comfort, and Confidence in Suicidal Patient Care

Color poster with text, charts, and graphs.Emergency department (ED) visits related to suicide continue to increase, and ED nurses are said to be on the “front lines” of suicide prevention. Yet, many nurses do not receive adequate training to care for suicidal patients. Lack of training can contribute to negative attitudes towards suicidal patients, decreased comfort and lack confidence working with suicidal patients, potentially reducing quality of care. Patients who report negative experiences in ED environments may also be at risk of increasing instances of self-harm. However, increases in nursing comfort and confidence has shown to lead to improved suicidal patient experiences and care With this in mind, we hypothesized that ED nurses’ confidence in caring for suicidal patients would mediate the relationship between training and attitudes/comfort caring for suicidal patients.University of Wisconsin--Eau Claire Office of Research and Sponsored Program

Non-Suicidal Self-Injury in Eating DisordersAdvancements in Etiology and Treatment /

VI, 364 p. 9 illus.online resource