A longitudinal study of self-injurious thoughts and behaviors transitions and help-seeking intentions among young adults.
Suicide Life Threat Behav
; 2024 Jun 27.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38934487
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE:
Engagement in self-injurious thoughts and behaviors (SITBs) is associated with low help-seeking intentions. Nevertheless, prior research has primarily relied on cross-sectional data, leaving uncertainties about the longitudinal dynamics between SITBs and help-seeking intentions. This study aims to investigate the longitudinal relationship between SITBs and help-seeking intentions for them.METHOD:
A one-year interval follow-up investigation was conducted among 1788 Chinese students (71.5% girls, Mage = 19.5). Changes in help-seeking intentions were initially analyzed among four SITBs transition groups. Subsequently, a cross-lagged model was employed to explore the possible bidirectional associations.RESULTS:
232 participants (12.90%) experienced changes in SITBs, while 65 participants (3.60%) exhibited sustained SITBs between two measurement time points. Changes in help-seeking intentions varied across SITBs transition groups. Participants whose SITBs faded 1 year later showed a significant increase in help-seeking intentions, whereas those who experienced newly developed SITBs across two measurement time points demonstrated a significant decline. The cross-lagged analysis revealed that help-seeking intentions negatively predicted the subsequent risk of experiencing SITBs.CONCLUSIONS:
Greater help-seeking intentions predicted decreased SITBs 1 year later. Changes in help-seeking intentions serve as a valuable indicator for distinguishing between different types of SITBs transition. These findings underscore the importance of implementing prevention and intervention strategies targeted at enhancing help-seeking intentions to reduce SITBs.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Language:
En
Journal:
Suicide Life Threat Behav
Year:
2024
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
China
Publication country:
ENGLAND
/
ESCOCIA
/
GB
/
GREAT BRITAIN
/
INGLATERRA
/
REINO UNIDO
/
SCOTLAND
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UK
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UNITED KINGDOM