Differences in Non-Suicidal Self-Injury and Suicide Attempts in Adolescents

This study examined differences between groups of adolescents with varying levels of self-harmful behaviour in a sample of 373 high school students. The sample was divided into 3 groups: no history of self-harm, non-suicidal self-injury only, & non-suicidal self-injury in addition to a suicide attempt. Results indicated significant differences between the 3 groups on all variables, with the no self-harm group reporting the lowest levels of risk factors & highest levels of protective factors. Adolescents in the non-suicidal-self injury group were found to have fewer depressive symptoms, lower suicide ideation, & greater self-esteem & parental support than the self-injury group that also had attempted suicide. (43 refs.) JA