Functions and methods of self-harm in a clinical adolescent population

Abstract

Aim. The aim of the research was to find out the most frequent methods and functions of self-harm and a relationship between the severity of self-harm and functions of self-harm. Methods and research group. Research group consisted of 52 participants aged 11 to 18 years old, 49 girls and 3 boys who were mostly hospitalized in Clinic of child psychiatry in Bratislava (n=50) or treated in clinical psychology practice (n=2). Psychologist administered the inventory ISAS (Inventory of Statements about Self-harm) (Klonsky & Glenn, 2009) to all participants in present form. After that, psychologist filled out a short anamnestic questionnaire. The data was analyzed with a statistical program SPSS. Results. It was found out that the most frequent method of self-harm is cutting and the most frequent function of self-harm is emotion regulation. Regression analysis showed that the predictors for a severity of self-harm are a higher incidence of self-biting and self-burning, a lower incidence of preventing wound healing and a shorter time which passes between a thought of self-harm and a real act of self-harm. Impulsivity seems to be correlated with a more severe (more frequent) self-harm. Limits. Limits of the study are mainly a small sample size.