An international comparison of adolescent non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) and suicide attempts: Germany and the USA

• DOI: 10.1017/s0033291708005114
• Publication Date: 2009-01-27T04:42:02Z
• Authors: P. L. Plener; G. Libal; F. Keller; J. M. Fegert; J. J. Muehlenkamp
• Keywords: Depression

Background This study examined the prevalence of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), suicide attempts, threats and suicidal ideation in a German school sample compared rates with similar adolescents from midwestern USA by using cross-nationally validated assessment tools. Method Data were provided 665 (mean age 14.8 years, s.d .=0.66, range 14–17 years) setting. Students completed Self-Harm Behavior Questionnaire (SHBQ), Ottawa Self-Injury Inventory (OSI) version Center for Epidemiological Studies–Depression Scale (CES-D). Results A quarter participants (25.6%) endorsed at least one act NSSI their life, 9.5% those students answered that they had hurt themselves repetitively (more than four times). Forty-three (6.5%) reported history attempt. No statistically significant differences observed between US samples terms or behaviors. Conclusions By same tools, no found characteristics behaviors Germany USA. Thus, it seems has to be understood as worldwide phenomenon, Western cultures.