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Abstract
Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a prevalent behavioral problem, yet many fundamental
aspects of NSSI remain unknown. This case series study reports on the diagnostic correlates
of adolescents with a recent history of NSSI and examines the relation between NSSI
and suicide attempts. Data are from clinical interviews with 89 adolescents admitted
to an adolescent psychiatric inpatient unit who engaged in NSSI in the previous 12
months. Results revealed that 87.6% of adolescents engaging in NSSI met criteria for
a DSM-IV Axis I diagnosis (M=3.0, S.D.=2.2, range=0 to 8 diagnoses), including externalizing
(62.9%), internalizing (51.7%), and substance use (59.6%) disorders. Most adolescents
assessed also met criteria for an Axis II personality disorder (67.3%). Overall, 70%
of adolescents engaging in NSSI reported a lifetime suicide attempt and 55% reported
multiple attempts. Characteristics of NSSI associated with making suicide attempts
included a longer history of NSSI, use of a greater number of methods, and absence
of physical pain during NSSI. These findings demonstrate the diagnostic heterogeneity
of adolescents engaging in NSSI, highlight the significant overlap between NSSI and
suicide attempts, and provide a point of departure for future research aimed at elucidating
the relations between non-suicidal and suicidal self-injury.