2 research outputs found
Why alternative teenagers self-harm: exploring the link between non-suicidal self-injury, attempted suicide and adolescent identity
Background:
The term āself-harmā encompasses both attempted suicide and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI). Specific adolescent subpopulations such as ethnic or sexual minorities, and more controversially, those who identify as āAlternativeā (Goth, Emo) have been proposed as being more likely to self-harm, while other groups such as āJocksā are linked with protective coping behaviours (for example exercise). NSSI has autonomic (it reduces negative emotions) and social (it communicates distress or facilitates group ābondingā) functions. This study explores the links between such aspects of self-harm, primarily NSSI, and youth subculture.<p></p>
Methods:
An anonymous survey was carried out of 452 15 year old German school students. Measures included: identification with different youth cultures, i.e. Alternative (Goth, Emo, Punk), Nerd (academic) or Jock (athletic); social background, e.g. socioeconomic status; and experience of victimisation. Self-harm (suicide and NSSI) was assessed using Self-harm Behavior Questionnaire and the Functional Assessment of Self-Mutilation (FASM).<p></p>
Results:
An āAlternativeā identity was directly (rāāā0.3) and a āJockā identity inversely (rāāā-0.1) correlated with self-harm. āAlternativeā teenagers self-injured more frequently (NSSI 45.5% vs. 18.8%), repeatedly self-injured, and were 4ā8 times more likely to attempt suicide (even after adjusting for social background) than their non-Alternative peers. They were also more likely to self-injure for autonomic, communicative and social reasons than other adolescents.<p></p>
Conclusions:
About half of āAlternativeā adolescentsā self-injure, primarily to regulate emotions and communicate distress. However, a minority self-injure to reinforce their group identity, i.e. āTo feel more a part of a groupā
Convergence of childrenĀ“s depression rating scale-revised scores and clinical diagnosis in rating adolescent depressive symptomatology
The ChildrenĀ“s Depression Rating Scale- Revised (CDRS-R) is a widely used instrument for research on depression in minors. A raw score of ā„40 has often been used as indicator of depressive symptomatology. As a validated German version of the CDRS-R has recently became available, we assessed CDRS-R raw summary scores of a video taped interview session in two different rater groups and compared them with clinical ratings of International Classification of Diseases (ICD- 10) depression diagnosis as observed by a third independent group. We found that for the German version a raw score between 35 and 40 is indicative for mild depressive symptomatology as described by the ICD-10. CDRS-R scores show potential clinical applicability to deduct levels of depression