Ming Ai, Wo Wang, Jian-Mei Chen, Jing-Lan He, Qi Zhang, Su Hong, Yao Gan, Jun Cao, Da-Qin Ding, Yi-Yao Tian, Jin-Hui Hu, Jiao-Jiao Xiang, Shuang Zhang, Xin-Zhu Lin, Yu-Jia Chen, Ya-Han Zhou, Bing Hu, Li Kuang, Xiao-Ming Xu
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background: Limited research has been conducted on self-harm among preadolescents in China. This study investigated the influence of multidimensional stress on high levels of self-harm behavior in preadolescents.
Method: This large-scale cross-sectional study of 7-14-year-old primary school students in grades 3-6 was conducted in Southwest China between September and December 2020. Data on sociodemographic characteristics and multidimensional stressors were collected and analyzed.
Results: The self-harm prevalence among the 48,117 preadolescents was 13.6 % (n = 6561), with respective prevalence rates of 13.2 % in males and 14.1 % in females. Chi-square and binary logistic regression analyses were employed. The most important factors for self-harm were ranked as follows: high academic pressure (OR = 2.00, 95 % CI 1.90-2.09), poor relationship with parents (OR = 1.89, 95 % CI 1.78-2.00), frequently being bullied (OR = 1.53, 95 % CI 1.47-1.60), early-onset menstruation (OR = 1.33, 95 % CI 1.22-1.46), frequent smartphone use (OR = 1.31, 95 % CI 1.26-1.37), poor classmate relationships (OR = 1.31, 95 % CI 1.24-1.38), poor relationship between parents (OR = 1.11, 95 % CI 1.08-1.14), poor family financial situation (OR = 1.11, 95 % CI 1.05-1.17), and being bullied within the past 1 month (OR = 1.05, 95 % CI 1.02-1.07).
Limitations: The limitations of this study include its cross-sectional design, the use of a non-structured questionnaire, the subjectivity of some items, the reliance on a single question about self-harm, and the possibility that participants may have concealed the true nature of their behaviors.
Conclusion: Preadolescents in China exhibited high rates of self-harm behaviors. It is recommended that schools and families pay more attention to the mental health of preadolescent students, especially with regard to self-harm, and develop targeted interventions to address this issue.
期刊介绍:
The Journal of Affective Disorders publishes papers concerned with affective disorders in the widest sense: depression, mania, mood spectrum, emotions and personality, anxiety and stress. It is interdisciplinary and aims to bring together different approaches for a diverse readership. Top quality papers will be accepted dealing with any aspect of affective disorders, including neuroimaging, cognitive neurosciences, genetics, molecular biology, experimental and clinical neurosciences, pharmacology, neuroimmunoendocrinology, intervention and treatment trials.