Lindsay A Taliaferro1, Joanna Almeida2, Laika D Aguinaldo3, Kimberly H McManama O'Brien4,5,6. 1. Department of Population Health Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, USA. 2. School of Social Work, Simmons University, USA. 3. Brown University, USA. 4. Department of Health Promotion, Practice, and Innovation, Education Development Center, USA. 5. Department of Psychiatry, Boston Children's Hospital, USA. 6. Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, USA.
Abstract
AIM: To investigate the function and progression of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) and its relationship with suicide attempts. METHOD: Qualitative in-depth interviews were conducted with 15 adolescents psychiatrically hospitalized following a suicide attempt who reported NSSI. Applied thematic analysis was used to identify and examine themes from the interview data. RESULTS: Thematic analysis revealed that the primary function of NSSI was relief from emotional pain, though the function often changed over time. NSSI was often not directly related to patients' suicide attempts, yet risk of suicidal behavior seemed to increase once NSSI lost its effectiveness, and suicide became the only option. CONCLUSION: Clinicians need to understand and monitor the functions of NSSI, and its relationship with suicidality, to prevent suicide attempts among adolescents.
AIM: To investigate the function and progression of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) and its relationship with suicide attempts. METHOD: Qualitative in-depth interviews were conducted with 15 adolescents psychiatrically hospitalized following a suicide attempt who reported NSSI. Applied thematic analysis was used to identify and examine themes from the interview data. RESULTS: Thematic analysis revealed that the primary function of NSSI was relief from emotional pain, though the function often changed over time. NSSI was often not directly related to patients' suicide attempts, yet risk of suicidal behavior seemed to increase once NSSI lost its effectiveness, and suicide became the only option. CONCLUSION: Clinicians need to understand and monitor the functions of NSSI, and its relationship with suicidality, to prevent suicide attempts among adolescents.