Citation

Wang P, Li C, Bella-Fernández M, Martín-Moratinos M, Castaño LM, Del Sol-Calderon P, Díaz de Neira M, Blasco-Fontecilla H. J. Clin. Med. 2022; 11(24): e7263.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2022, MDPI: Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute)

DOI

10.3390/jcm11247263

PMID

36555883

PMCID

PMC9783050

Abstract

Self-harm (non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) and suicidal behavior (SB)) is frequent display during adolescence. Patients with personality disorders (PDs) frequently self-harm. However, few studies have focused on the role of PDs in self-harming adolescents. In this study, we collected 79 adolescents hospitalized due to self-harm (88.6% female; 78.5% Caucasian) and divided them into two groups, with or without a diagnosis of PD. The socio-demographic and psychological-clinical data were collected through a structured interview by clinicians. Univariate, subgroup, and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed. Univariate analysis showed that adolescents with a PD and self-harm had (1) an older age at hospitalization (p < 0.01); (2) experienced physical and sexual abuse (p = 0.05, and p < 0.01, respectively); (3) ADHD (p = 0.05); (4) a greater number of SA (p < 0.01); and (5) probability of being a major NSSI patient (>20 lifetime NSSI episodes) (p < 0.01). After multivariate stratified analysis, the results indicated that an older age, and particularly major NSSI status were predictors of PD diagnosis. Early identification and a better understanding of the characteristics of adolescent PDs can assist clinicians in intervening earlier and developing more rational treatment strategies to reduce the long-term effects of PDs.

Language: en

Keywords

adolescent; self-harm; suicide attempt; non-suicidal self-injury; suicidal behavior; personality disorders