Abstract

ULLOA FLORES, Rosa Elena; CONTRERAS HERNANDEZ, Cecilia; PANIAGUA NAVARRETE, Karina  and  VICTORIA FIGUEROA, Gamaliel. Epidemiology and clinical characteristics of self-harm in adolescents attending a child psychiatric hospital. Salud Ment [online]. 2013, vol.36, n.5, pp.421-427. ISSN 0185-3325.

Introduction Although studies of self-harm in adolescents have pointed to psycho-pathology as a risk factor, the information on the phenomenon in clinical population of Mexican adolescents is scarce. Methods This study examined demographic and clinical characteristics, as well as types, frequency and reasons for self-harm in 556 adolescents attending a child psychiatric hospital from 2005 to 2011 through record review. Results High frequencies of female gender, low socioeconomic status, family violence and sexual abuse history were found. The most common diagnoses were affective disorders, conduct disorders and substance abuse. Self-cutting was the most used method and the main reasons for self-harm included low frustration tolerance, attention seek, and symptoms of anxiety and mood disorders. An increase in cases was observed over time, particularly in patients with mood disorders and/ or substance abuse. Conclusions Self-harm in adolescents with psychopathology has increased and is frequently associated with depressive and conduct disorders. It is important to determine the presence of self-harm in the assessment of these patients.

Keywords : Self-harm; adolescents; psychopathology; prevalence; self-cutting; Mexican.

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