Citation

Syed S, Kingsbury M, Bennett K, Manion I, Colman I. Acta Psychiatr. Scand. 2020; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2020, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/acps.13229

PMID

32885408

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Some research suggests that suicidal ideation and attempt among adolescents may be contagious - i.e., adolescents who are exposed to peers' suicidal behaviour are more likely to experience suicidal ideation or attempt suicide themselves. Less is known about the potential contagion effect of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI). Our objective was to determine whether knowledge of a friend's NSSI is associated with adolescent's own non-suicidal self-injury and suicidal behaviours.

METHODS: Data from 1,483 youth ages 14 - 17 years were obtained from the 2014 Ontario Child Health Study, a cross-sectional population-based survey of children and adolescents in Ontario, Canada. Logistic regression models were used to examine associations between knowledge of a friend's NSSI and adolescents' own self-reported self-injurious and suicidal behaviours. Interactions with gender, age group, and presence of a mental disorder were investigated.

RESULTS: Knowledge of a friend's non-suicidal self-injury was significantly associated with the adolescent's own non-suicidal self-injury (OR=2.03, 95% CI 1.05-3.90), suicidal ideation (OR=3.08, 95% CI 1.50-6.30), and suicide attempt (OR=2.87, 95% CI 1.20-6.87).

CONCLUSION: These findings suggest an apparent contagion effect for non-suicidal self-injury. Awareness of a friend's self-injurious behaviours is associated with an adolescent's own self-injury and suicidality. Interventions aimed at preventing NSSI and suicidality should consider prevention of possible contagion at the school and/or community level.

Language: en

Keywords

Suicide; Adolescence; Mental Health; Self-injurious behaviour