TY - JOUR PY - 2017// TI - Correlation of impulsivity with self-harm and suicidal attempt: a community study of adolescents in Taiwan JO - BMJ open A1 - Huang, Yu-Hsin A1 - Liu, Hui-Ching A1 - Tsai, Fang-Ju A1 - Sun, Fang-Ju A1 - Huang, Kuo-Yang A1 - Chiu, Yu-Ching A1 - Huang, Yen-Hsun A1 - Huang, Yo-Ping A1 - Liu, Shen-Ing SP - e017949 EP - e017949 VL - 7 IS - 12 N2 - OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate differences and similarities in risk factors for deliberate self-harm (DSH) and suicidal attempt (SA), and the role of impulsivity among a group of community adolescents. SETTING: This is a cross-sectional study conducted at high schools in Northern Taiwan. DATA AND PARTICIPANTS: We recruited grade 1 students from 14 high schools. A total of 5879 participants (mean age 16.02 years, female adolescents: 57.7%) completed the online assessment. OUTCOME MEASURES: Participants completed online questionnaires about sociodemographic data, suicidality, history of DSH and SA, depressed mood, self-esteem, social support, family discord, impulsivity (Barratt Impulsiveness Scale Version 11 (BIS-11)) and the use of alcohol, tobacco and illicit drugs. A subsample was interviewed about lifetime SA, and the results were compared with those from the online questionnaires.

RESULTS: In our sample, 25% of the students had lifetime DSH and 3.5% had lifetime SA. Two hundred and seventy-two students received face-to-face interviews. The concordance between the online questionnaires and interviews in terms of ascertaining cases of SA was moderate (concordance rate 82.76%; kappa value 0.59). Similar risk factors for DSH/SA among the whole sample included female gender, lower academic performance, depression, substance use (tobacco and alcohol) and low self-esteem. The BIS-11 score was correlated with DSH. Factor 3 score of the BIS-11 (novelty seeking) was correlated with DSH in both boys and girls, whereas factor 2 score (lack of self-control) was correlated with SA in boys. Social support was a protective factor against SA among the female adolescents. Gender modulated the association of impulsivity and DSH/SA. Associations between impulsivity and DSH and SA were particularly strong among boys.

CONCLUSIONS: Risk factors for DSH and SA were similar, but not identical. Early identification of those at risk and appropriate interventions may be helpful.

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Language: en

LA - en SN - 2044-6055 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2017-017949 ID - ref1 ER -