Chang Sherilyn, Vaingankar Janhavi Ajit, Tan Bernard, Tan Yeow Wee Brian, Samari Ellaisha, Archana S, Chua Yi Chian, Lee Yi Ping, Tang Charmaine, Verma Swapna, Subramaniam Mythily
Research Division, Institute of Mental Health, Singapore, Singapore.
Department of Psychosis, Institute of Mental Health, Singapore, Singapore.
Child Adolesc Psychiatry Ment Health. 2025 Mar 21;19(1):27. doi: 10.1186/s13034-025-00885-6.
Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a common phenomenon; a recent meta-analysis of studies conducted among non-clinical adolescents reported a global lifetime prevalence rate of 22.0%. NSSI results in significant impairment and is associated with negative outcomes later in young adulthood. There is, however, a dearth of research on the occurrence of NSSI in Singapore's youth population. Past studies examining NSSI behaviours among youths in Singapore were conducted using clinical samples, which tend to report a higher prevalence compared to community samples. The present study aims to establish the prevalence of NSSI and examine its associated sociodemographic and psychosocial correlates in the general youth population.
This study included 2600 youths aged 15-35 years who participated in the National Youth Mental Health Study, a nationwide cross-sectional survey of the mental health status of youths in Singapore. The Deliberate Self-Harm Inventory and Depression Anxiety Stress Scales Short Form were used to assess NSSI behaviours and mental health symptoms. Data on coping strategies, perceived social support and resilience were also collected.
The lifetime prevalence of NSSI among youths in Singapore was 25.0%, and the 12-month prevalence was found to be 6.8%. The median age of onset for lifetime NSSI was 14 years. Significantly higher odds of lifetime NSSI were observed among youths aged 15-29 years, females, and youths with lower educational attainment. Youths with severe and extremely severe symptoms of depression and anxiety and those with greater use of avoidance coping strategy were associated with higher odds of lifetime NSSI. Higher resilience scores were associated with lower odds of lifetime NSSI.
1 in 4 youths in Singapore had engaged in self-injurious behaviour at least once in their lifetime. Screening and early intervention programs could be targeted at the more vulnerable youth groups such as those in early- and mid- adolescence. Potential areas for future research and interventions could include resilience building and educating youths on adaptive coping strategies. The limitations of the cross-sectional study design and the use of self-reported data should be considered when interpreting the study findings.
非自杀性自伤（NSSI）是一种常见现象；最近一项针对非临床青少年的研究的荟萃分析报告称，全球终生患病率为22.0%。NSSI会导致严重损害，并与青年成年后期的负面结果相关。然而，关于新加坡青年人群中NSSI发生情况的研究却很匮乏。过去针对新加坡青年NSSI行为的研究使用的是临床样本，与社区样本相比，临床样本往往报告的患病率更高。本研究旨在确定NSSI的患病率，并研究其在一般青年人群中的相关社会人口学和心理社会因素。
本研究纳入了2600名年龄在15至35岁之间的青年，他们参与了全国青年心理健康研究，这是一项关于新加坡青年心理健康状况的全国性横断面调查。使用故意自伤量表和抑郁焦虑压力量表简版来评估NSSI行为和心理健康症状。还收集了应对策略、感知到的社会支持和心理韧性的数据。
新加坡青年中NSSI的终生患病率为25.0%，12个月患病率为6.8%。终生NSSI的发病中位年龄为14岁。在15至29岁的青年、女性以及受教育程度较低的青年中，观察到终生NSSI的几率显著更高。患有严重和极其严重抑郁及焦虑症状的青年以及更多使用回避应对策略的青年与终生NSSI的几率更高相关。心理韧性得分越高，终生NSSI的几率越低。
新加坡四分之一的青年一生中至少有过一次自伤行为。筛查和早期干预项目可以针对更易受影响的青年群体，如青少年早期和中期的群体。未来研究和干预的潜在领域可能包括培养心理韧性以及教育青年采用适应性应对策略。在解释研究结果时，应考虑横断面研究设计的局限性和自我报告数据的使用情况。
