Department of Psychology, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
Department of Psychological Medicine, National University Health System, Singapore.
Clin Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2024 Oct;29(4):1296-1317. doi: 10.1177/13591045241241109. Epub 2024 Apr 2.
Although nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) is prevalent among adolescents and is associated with an increased risk of adverse outcomes, many adolescents with NSSI do not seek help. However, there is a lack of research on the factors that may increase the likelihood of help-seeking, especially within Asia. To address this gap, the present study examined whether certain factors were associated with informal and formal help-seeking - specifically gender, severity of NSSI, functions of NSSI and authoritative parenting. 121 adolescents (age = 16.2 years, 71.1% female) were recruited from specialist outpatient clinics and inpatient psychiatric wards from a public hospital in Singapore. One caregiver per adolescent was also recruited. Data from self-report questionnaires were analysed using logistics regression analyses. The results suggest that the severity of NSSI increases the likelihood of informal help-seeking, while adolescents who have parents with more authoritative parenting style are less likely to seek informal help. Gender and functions of NSSI were not found to be associated with help-seeking. The findings from this study can guide professionals in their efforts to encourage help-seeking within Asian populations, as well as inform prevention and treatment programs for Asian adolescents with NSSI.
尽管非自杀性自伤（NSSI）在青少年中很普遍，并且与不良后果的风险增加有关，但许多有 NSSI 的青少年并未寻求帮助。然而，对于可能增加寻求帮助的可能性的因素的研究很少，特别是在亚洲。为了解决这一差距，本研究考察了某些因素是否与非正式和正式的寻求帮助有关，具体来说是性别、NSSI 的严重程度、NSSI 的功能和权威型父母教养。从新加坡一家公立医院的专科门诊和住院精神病病房招募了 121 名青少年（年龄=16.2 岁，71.1%为女性），并招募了每位青少年的一名照顾者。使用逻辑回归分析对来自自我报告问卷的数据进行了分析。结果表明，NSSI 的严重程度增加了寻求非正式帮助的可能性，而具有更权威型教养方式的父母的青少年不太可能寻求非正式帮助。性别和 NSSI 的功能与寻求帮助无关。本研究的结果可以指导专业人员努力鼓励亚洲人群寻求帮助，以及为亚洲有 NSSI 的青少年制定预防和治疗计划。
