TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2014//
TI  - Coping Strategies in Adolescents Who Self-Harm
JO  - Crisis
A1  - Guerreiro, Diogo F.
A1  - Figueira, Maria Luísa
A1  - Cruz, Diana
A1  - Sampaio, Daniel
SP  - 31
EP  - 37
VL  - 36
IS  - 1
N2  - BACKGROUND: Adolescent self-harm (SH) is a major public health concern, associated with poor outcomes. The use of ineffective coping is often referred to in explanatory models of adolescent SH. Aims: To assess the relationship between SH and coping strategies in a large sample of school-aged adolescents. <br><br>METHOD: A sample of public school students (n = 1,713), aged between 12 and 20 years, were examined using an anonymously completed questionnaire. SH was defined according to strict criteria through a two-stage procedure. Study participants were divided into two groups: no self-harm and lifetime self-harm. The differences between groups were explored, including logistic regression analyses (controlling for anxiety and depression effects), to reveal which coping strategies better predicted lifetime SH. <br><br>RESULTS: The use of nonproductive strategies was associated with SH in both genders, particularly self-blame and tension reduction. Strategies involving consulting significant others for support were used less in the SH group, especially among male subjects. The preferential use of a productive coping style was negatively associated with the SH group in both genders. <br><br>CONCLUSION: The results support previous data regarding a different pattern of coping strategies used by adolescents who harm themselves. The use of self-rating instruments and the cross-sectional nature of the study limit our results.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0227-5910
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1027/0227-5910/a000289
ID  - ref1
ER  -