Variables for understanding self-injury in adolescents.

Findings and data of interest to understand the tendency to self-injury in adolescents.

Usually, humans understand aggression as those behaviors referred to other people, as a defensive function against the threats of others, but not as those directed towards others.We usually understand aggressions as those behaviors directed towards other people, as a defensive function against threats from others, but not as those directed towards ourselves, since it is assumed that the survival instinct prevails.

That is why, that self-injurious behaviors occur above all in adolescenceThe fact that self-injurious behaviors occur especially in adolescence, just when one really begins to live, is a problem of growing interest, even more so at a time when suicide is one of the main causes of mortality among adolescents.

Self-injury in adolescents: what is the prevalence and incidence?

The proportion of adolescents presenting self-injurious behaviors is considered to be between 6-16%, with no significant differences in community samples from different countries.

The incidence is higher among adolescents diagnosed with some psychiatric pathology, specifically depression, conduct disorders and anxiety or anxiety-related disorders. The data also show that self-injury is more frequent in children who have are more frequent in children who have undergone an adoption process, and also in those who live in large or single-parent families.. Girls self-injure more with cuts, while boys do it with burns.

What are the most important risk factors?

Among sociodemographic variablesthe following stand out.

• Age: Cross-sectional studies with community samples indicate that an inverted "U" phenomenon occurs, with a peak observed between 12-16 years of age, which is preceded by a gradual increase from 11-13 years of age only in females, since in males, it remains relatively stable.
• Sex: Self-injurious behaviors are more common among females than among males.

On the other hand, the characteristic variables to be highlighted are the following.

• Impulsivity: studies on this topic suggest that among adolescents who self-injure, people with a high level of impulsivity are over-represented compared to the general population.
• Negative self-image: they make internal, global and relatively consistent and stable attributions about negative events in their lives. In relation to this, these adolescents have lower self-esteem and a more pessimistic cognitive style than those who do not self-injure, especially girls. Therefore, low self-esteem is considered a predisposing and maintaining factor of self-injurious behavior.
• Problem-solving ability: if it is deficient, the risk of these behaviors increases.
• Anger and hostility: these are more frequent psychological predispositions in young people who self-injure.

On the other hand, there are also psychopathological variables.

• Substance abuse: the consumption of alcoholic beverages is statistically strongly linked to self-injurious behavior.
• Depressive disorders: 67% of adolescents who use intoxicants to attempt suicide suffer from a depressive disorder.
• Eating disorders: these young people have a more negative body image compared to adolescent girls who do not usually self-injure, with bulimic behaviors being the most prevalent because they are also more impulsive.
• Behavioral disorders: especially antisocial disorder.

Psychosocial factors are also important

The variables linked to relationships with others, and especially with those these young people see in their daily lives, are fundamental.are fundamental. Among them, we must take into account those described here.

• Interpersonal conflicts either in the family or school context.
• School bullying is a predisposing factor for self-injury.
• Modeling or imitation. There is a remarkable consensus that adolescents who self-injure usually have family and friends who also do so. In addition, many of these adolescents interact through chat rooms and forums with other self-harmers, using new technologies.
• Possible presence of sexual abuse: the prevalence is higher in this population than in the general population, so that it would act as a precipitating factor and is modulated by the presence of a depressive disorder.

Regarding family characteristicsthe following findings have been made:

• One out of two adolescents who self-injure live in single-parent households.
• Cohabitation problems are statistically associated with suicide attempts in adolescents.
• Lack of warmth in dealing with other family members and dysfunctional relationships between adolescents (under 16) and their mothers have been shown to be important predictors of suicide attempts.

How can the family deal with self-injury?

First of all, it is important to be aware that self-injury is a major problem and that, therefore, professional help is always required, professional help is always required.

If they have not told you about it, it is because it is a behavior that is carried out in total secrecy, usually in their room, in the dark or at night, but afterwards they feel guilt, shame or fear for what you will think, for having failed them or for disappointing you. Often, they are fear that they will be found out and end up in a psychiatric unit or in hospital.. Therefore, you should be understanding and let your child talk to you about this behavior.

Parents often mistakenly believe that this is a cry for attention, but the fact that it remains hidden should make you suspect the opposite. Therefore, it is necessary that you become aware of the seriousness, but always with support and understanding. Never think that talking about the reasons why your child is self-injuring will make the situation worse, but on the contrary, it will be a way for her (or him) to release those emotions she (or he) has been repressing. a way for her (or him) to release those emotions that she (or he) has been repressing and that have produced the emotional Pain that leads them to self-harm.

We are aware that you are going to go through periods of fear or uncertainty, but teenagers who self-injure are not aggressive and do not pose a danger to others. You should tell him that you want to help him, that you will support him, but that this will be done together with his psychologist and, if necessary, with his psychiatrist.

In our office we are specialists in Clinical Psychology and Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy and we have a long experience in self-injury in adolescents. We are here to help you, as a family, and your child.

Bibliographic references

• Javierre,E, Amiguet, M., Mengual, J.M., Fuertes, A., Ruiz, P.M., García, N. (2016) The latest among adolescents. The cuts on the skin. Bol.Pediatr. Rioj Sor,46:35.
• Frías, A., Vázquez, M., Del Real, A., Sánchez, C. Giné, E. (2012) Self-injurious behavior in adolescents: prevalence, risk factors and treatment. Cuadernos de Medicina Psicosomática y Psiquiatría de enlace, nº 103.
• Ibañez-Aguirre,C.(2017) Psychopathological keys to self-injurious behavior in adolescence. Journal of Clinical Psychology with Children and Adolescents, vol.4, nº1, pp. 65 - 70.