Predicting the trajectory of non‐suicidal self‐injury among adolescents

Bibliographic Data

ID21344567
AuthorsGeneva E Mason (0000-0002-9924-5889, Department of Psychology University of Victoria Victoria BC Canada, corresponding author), Randy P Auerbach (0000-0003-2319-4744, Department of Psychiatry Columbia University New York NY USA), Jeremy G Stewart (0000-0001-6927-6871, Department of Psychology Queen's University Kingston ON Canada)
Year2025
Volume66
Issue2
Pages189-201
Publication date2025-02-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0021-9630 • E-ISSN: 1469-7610
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/jcpp.14046
PMID39136673
OpenAlexW4401542320
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited56

BACKGROUND: Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is common among adolescents receiving inpatient psychiatric treatment and the months post-discharge is a high-risk period for self-injurious behavior. Thus, identifying predictors that shape the course of post-discharge NSSI may provide insights into ways to improve clinical outcomes. Accordingly, we used machine learning to identify the strongest predictors of NSSI trajectories drawn from a comprehensive clinical assessment. METHODS: The study included adolescents (N = 612; females n = 435; 71.1%) aged 13-19-years-old (M = 15.6, SD = 1.4) undergoing inpatient treatment. Youth were administered clinical interviews and symptom questionnaires at intake (baseline) and before termination. NSSI frequency was assessed at 1-, 3-, and 6-month follow-ups. Latent class growth analyses were used to group adolescents based on their pattern of NSSI across follow-ups. RESULTS: Three classes were identified: Low Stable (n = 83), Moderate Fluctuating (n = 260), and High Persistent (n = 269). Important predictors of the High Persistent class in our regularized regression models (LASSO) included baseline psychiatric symptoms and comorbidity, past-week suicidal ideation (SI) severity, lifetime average and worst-point SI intensity, and NSSI in the past 30 days (bs = 0.75-2.33). Only worst-point lifetime suicide ideation intensity was identified as a predictor of the Low Stable class (b = -8.82); no predictors of the Moderate Fluctuating class emerged. CONCLUSIONS: This study found a set of intake clinical variables that indicate which adolescents may experience persistent NSSI post-discharge. Accordingly, this may help identify youth that may benefit from additional monitoring and support post-hospitalization

Comorbidity · Developmental psychology · Injury prevention · Medical emergency · Occupational safety and health · Poison control · Psychiatry · Suicidal ideation · Suicide attempt · Suicide prevention · Young adult · Clinical Psychology · COVID-19 and Mental Health · Human Factors and Ergonomics · Medicine · Personality Disorders and Psychopathology · Psychology · Suicide and Self-Harm Studies

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