Citation

Portzky G, de Wilde EJ, van Heeringen CK. Psychiatr. Danub. 2006; 18(Suppl 1): 49.

Affiliation

Unit for Suicide Research- University Gent, University Hospital - De Pintelaan 185, 9000 Gent, Belgium. gwendolyn.portzky@ugent.be.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, Facultas Universitatis Studiorum Zagrabiensis - Danube Symposion of Psychiatry)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

16963923

Abstract

This study examined ethnic differences in risk factors associated with deliberate self-harm (DSH) in order to account for the higher prevalence of DSH among Belgian students. As part of the CASE-study, a cross sectional survey using an anonymous self report questionnaire was conducted with 4431 Belgian and 4458 Dutch 15-16 years-old school pupils. Results indicated that several factors were found to be associated with DSH in both countries, such as mental and physical health, life events and communication about difficulties and problems. However, several ethnic differences distinguished between the groups with Belgian students showing significant higher scores for anxiety, less problem-oriented coping and more use of alcohol, soft drugs and speed/LSD/cocaine. Belgian students are also at higher risk for the experience of several life events in the previous year and before. In addition, Belgian students show less communication with family or teachers about their problems and difficulties. The results of the study suggest that the increased risk of DSH in Belgian students could be associated with an elevated exposure to important life events with additional ineffective problem-solving such as less problem-oriented coping, more substance use and less communication about their problems.

Language: en