Non-Suicidal Self-Injury and Suicide Attempts in a New Zealand Birth Cohort

• Published in: Journal of affective disorders 2017-10, Vol.221, p.89-96
• Main Authors: Coppersmith, Daniel D.L, Nada-Raja, Shyamala, Beautrais, Annette L
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Adult Survivors of Child Abuse - psychology; Anxiety - psychology; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; General population; Humans; Longitudinal; Male; New Zealand; Non-suicidal self-injury; Psychiatry; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors; Self-Injurious Behavior - psychology; Sex Offenses - psychology; Substance-Related Disorders - psychology; Suicidal Ideation; Suicide attempt; Suicide ideation; Suicide, Attempted - psychology
• ISSN: 0165-0327; 1573-2517
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2017.06.029

Abstract Background Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) and suicide attempts are related, but distinct behaviors. The primary aim of the current study was to identify factors that distinguish those with different lifetime histories of self-injury. A secondary aim was to test whether lifetime history of self-injury at age 26 predicted current suicide ideation at age 32. Methods Participants were 26 year olds from a large birth cohort with a lifetime history of no self-injury ( n = 466), a lifetime history of NSSI ( n = 191), or a lifetime history of NSSI and a suicide attempt (NSSI+SA; n = 52). They were compared on a history of psychiatric disorders, 12-month suicide ideation, lifetime history of childhood sexual abuse, and lifetime exposure to suicide. Results An anxiety disorder, a substance dependence disorder, suicide ideation, and a history of childhood sexual abuse distinguished the NSSI+SA and NSSI only groups. Longitudinal results demonstrated that a history of NSSI predicted future suicide ideation after adjusting for other selected risk factors. Limitations The majority of analyses are cross-sectional which limits inferences about causality. The retrospective self-report for lifetime behavior could be subject to reporting biases. Conclusions Adults with a history of NSSI and adults with a history of NSSI and a suicide attempt are clinically distinct groups that are both at risk of future suicide ideation. Identifying and treating NSSI could be a key preventive factor in reducing subsequent suicide risk.