Self-harm and suicidality in school-aged children and adolescents

 

Submission type

Symposium

Scheduled

Room 114, 12-07-2019, 11:00 - 12:30

Keywords

self-harm, non-suicidal self-injury, suicidality, suicidal thoughts, interventions, prevention

Summary of Symposium

Deliberate self-harm and suicidality among young people are severe public health issues in many societies. These behaviors tend to arise from overwhelming stressors that young people encounter in their everyday lives. Given the high relevance of schools for child development, it is likely that some of the stressors triggering self-harm can be found in the school context. In turn, school personnel can detect self-harm and suicidal thoughts/behaviors and help affected children and adolescents.

This symposium provides new insights into the emergence of self-harm and suicidality, and addresses some opportunities that teachers, school counselors and psychologists have for intervention and prevention.

Auteurs

Auteurs

From „who identifies with Hannah?“ to dealing with suicidality and self-injury in a school setting

In-Albon, T (Tina)
University of Koblenz-Landau

 

Abstract ID

Submission type

Oral only

Keywords

non-suicidal self-injury, self-harm, suicidality, contagion effects, media influence, intervention

Summary

Empirical evidence suggests contagion effects of nonsuicidal self-injury among adolescents in various settings, such as schools. Further, there is mounting evidence for the impact of direct exposure to suicidal behavior and media influence on subsequent imitation and modeling in adolescent suicidal behavior.

Therefore, the web series “Thirteen reasons why” led to considerable discussions and professional organizations declared warning signs regarding the series. However, it is unclear what contributes to the series influence on suicidality. In an online study with 518 youths and young adults that either have seen the series or read the book, suicidal intentions and identification with the series protagonist Hannah was investigated. Results indicated that with higher identification, suicidal intentions of the participants were also increased, showing a medium effect size (d = 0.56). There was no gender difference on identification. Regarding the influence of the series and the book, no group differences on the identification with Hannah was shown. Results support previous research that identification is an important factor for the contagion effects of self-harm.

Due to the current knowledge on contagion effects, recommendations to deal with students with self-harming behaviors in a school setting will be provided.

Auteurs

Suicide and suicidal behaviour in adolescents – epidemiological findings and clinical impact

Kupferschmid, S (Stephan)¹, Destan, N (Nesrin)¹, Stulz, N (Niklaus)¹, Hepp, U (Urs)^1
1Integrierte Psychiatrie Winterthur, Winterthur, Switzerland

 

Abstract ID

Submission type

Oral only

Keywords

suicide, suicidal behavior, epidemiology, treatment, postvention

Summary

Suicide in adolescents is the second most common cause of death in this age group and an important

public health problem.

We examined suicide in swiss adolescents and analysed time trends in youth suicide in the Swiss National Cohort (SNC). The SNC is a longitudinal study of the whole Swiss resident population, based on linkage of census and mortality records. We identified suicides in adolescents aged 10–18 years from 1991 to 2013.

592 suicides were recorded, corresponding to a rate of 3.7 per 100,000 per year. Rates increased with age from 0.0 per 100,000 at age 10 years to 14.8 per 100,000 (95% CI 12.6–17.5) at 18 years in boys, and from 0.0 to 5.4 per 100,000 (4.1–7.2) in girls.

 

The epidemiological data reflect the high relevance of suicide and suicidal behaviour in child and adolescent psychiatry. In this regard, the transition to adulthood is a particular vulnerable stage. In a clinical setting the assessment and the understanding of suicidality is a crucial point of daily practice. In this presentation we discuss typical psychopathological patterns associated with suicidality, treatment options and the importance of postvention after completed suicide for the bereaved family and friends.  

Auteurs

Non-Suicidal Self-Injury From Early Adolescence to Early Adulthood

Steinhoff, A (Annekatrin)¹, Bechtiger, L (Laura)¹, Ribeaud, D (Denis)¹, Eisner, M (Manuel)², Shanahan, L (Lilly)^3
1Jacobs Center for Productive Youth Development, University of Zurich
²Institute of Criminology, University of Cambridge; Jacobs Center for Productive Youth Development, University of Zurich
³Department of Psychology and Jacobs Center for Productive Youth Development, University of Zurich

 

Abstract ID

Submission type

Oral only

Keywords

non-suicidal self-injury, self-harm, developmental, epidemiology, psychopathology, school-based life events, stress

Summary

Recent research from the U.S. reports that adolescent non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a severe public health problem. NSSI is a maladaptive coping mechanism that many adolescents use to deal with distress. Longitudinal investigations of NSSI are rare in community samples.

We examined the prevalence, frequency, and longitudinal trajectory of NSSI in adolescents in Switzerland. We also explored demographic and psychosocial risk factors, with a particular focus on the role of school-related events (e.g., failing exams, grade retention, problems with peers).

Data came from the longitudinal Zurich Project on Social Development from Childhood to Adulthood (z-proso). Since 2004, this study examines the development of 1,400 youth. Self-reports of NSSI are available at ages 13, 15, 17, and 20 years.

The cumulative prevalence of NSSI across all ages was at 27%. The point prevalence at ages 13, 15, 17, and 20, respectively, was at 13%, 11%, 10%, and 8%. In males, prevalence of NSSI declined across years; in females, prevalence peaked at age 15. Exposure to sexual harassment, relationship breakup, and grade retention increased risk for NSSI.

Our study provides new insights into the role of school-based life events in self-harming behaviors. We discuss implications for possible interventions in the school context.

Auteurs