Identifying High-Risk Subgroups of College Students with Non-Suicidal Self-Injury: A Latent Profile Analysis and Two-Years Follow-up Study.

Non-Suicidal Self-Injury (NSSI) is associated with a heightened overall risk of future psychopathological problems. However, elucidating specific characteristics that determine an increased risk for certain individuals remains an area requiring further exploration. This study aimed to identify latent subgroups in a sample of college students with NSSI. Additionally, it sought to explore the differential associations of these subgroups with their psychopathological status (e.g., borderline symptoms and suicidal tendencies) both at baseline and after two years. The sample comprised 259 participants (89% females, Mage = 20.39, SD = 1.90) who reported engaging in NSSI in the last year. Three latent groups were found. The group exhibiting severe NSSI-features, high emotion dysregulation, and low perceived social support was the profile with high-risk of psychopathology both at baseline and follow-up. The findings enhance our understanding of the complex association between NSSI and future mental health issues, aiding in the early identification of at-risk individuals.

Clinical high risk for psychosis in children and adolescents: a systematic review.

The concept of being at risk for psychosis has been introduced both for adults and children and adolescents, but fewer studies have been conducted in the latter population. The aim of this study is to systematically review the articles associated with clinical description, interventions, outcome and other areas in children and adolescents at risk for psychosis. We searched in MEDLINE/PubMed and PsycINFO databases for articles published up to 30/06/16. Reviewed articles were prospective studies; written in English; original articles with Clinical High Risk (CHR) for psychosis samples; and mean age of samples younger than 18 years. From 103 studies initially selected, 48 met inclusion criteria and were systematically reviewed. Studies show that CHR children and adolescents present several clinical characteristics at baseline, with most attenuated positive-symptom inclusion criteria observed, reporting mostly perceptual abnormalities and suspiciousness, and presenting comorbid conditions such as depressive and anxiety disorders. CHR children and adolescents show lower general intelligence and no structural brain changes compared with controls. Original articles reviewed show rates of conversion to psychosis between 17 and 20% at 1 year follow-up and between 7 and 21% at 2 years. While 36% of patients recovered from their CHR status at 6-year follow-up, 40% still met CHR criteria. Studies in children and adolescents with CHR were conducted with different methodologies, assessments tools and small samples. It is important to conduct studies on psychopharmacological and psychological treatment, as well as replication of the few studies found.

Review and update on non-suicidal self-injury: who, how and why?

Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is defined as the direct and deliberate destruction of one’s own body tissue in the absence of lethal intent. Following decades of progressive increase in the incidence of NSSI among adolescents and young adults, as well as growing scientific interest, the disorder was listed as a condition for further study in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (fifth edition). In this review we provide updated information on this phenomenon, focusing on: prevalence, course and prognosis; associated factors; its relationship with psychopathology; and the role of the mass media, social networks, and the internet. Finally, we discuss some conclusions and future proposals, emphasizing the need for collaborative work to better understand NSSI in Spain, and to improve prevention and treatment strategies.

Borderline personality traits mediate the relationship between low perceived social support and non-suicidal self-injury in a clinical sample of adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a serious public health concern among adolescents, especially in clinical settings. Social support plays a critical role in the onset and maintenance of NSSI in adolescence. NSSI is closely associated with borderline personality disorder (BPD), yet no previous work has analyzed the mediating role of borderline traits in the relationship between perceived social support (PSS) and NSSI. This study aimed to address this gap. METHODS: Participants were 228 adolescent patients (12 to 18 years old), who completed a clinical interview and self-report measures of BPD-traits, current psychological distress, emotion dysregulation and PSS. They were grouped based on the presence (vs. absence) of NSSI. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify risk factors of NSSI, and a mediation analysis was conducted to examine the intermediary role of borderline traits in the relationship between PSS and NSSI. RESULTS: NSSI was highly prevalent in our sample (58%) and was associated with higher clinical severity. Low PSS predicted NSSI in univariate, but not multivariate regression. Mediation analyses showed that borderline traits fully accounted for the relationship between low PSS and NSSI, even when controlling for current psychological distress and gender. LIMITATIONS: Cross-sectional design through self-report assessment. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that adolescents with low PSS are especially vulnerable for developing NSSI due to elevated BPD traits. In clinical settings, interventions aimed to reduce borderline symptoms may be a promising treatment option for adolescents with NSSI and low PSS.

Asperger syndrome: can the disorder be diagnosed in the adult age?

INTRODUCTION: Asperger Syndrome (AS) is characterized by a qualitative disorder of social interaction, a pattern of restrictive, repetitive and stereotyped behavior, interests and activities, with normal intellectual capacity and normal language skills in the areas of grammar and vocabulary. Since its inclusion in international taxonomies, there has been much controversy regarding its nosological validity. CLINICAL CASE: A patient with a diagnosis of AS in adulthood is described. Results from the psychopathological, personality and cognitive functioning assessment are included. CONCLUSIONS: Asperger Syndrome can also be diagnosed in adulthood and should be suspected whenever retrospective information and clinical assessment point to this diagnosis.

Revisión y actualización de la autolesión no suicida: ¿quién, cómo y por qué? / Review and update on non-suicidal self-injury: who, how and why?

La autolesión no suicida (ANS) hace referencia a la destrucción directa y deliberada de la propia superficie corporal sin intención letal. Tras décadas presenciando un incremento progresivo de su incidencia entre adolescentes y adultos jóvenes, así como un creciente interés científico, la quinta edición del Manual Diagnóstico y Estadístico de los Trastornos Mentales ha incluido el trastorno por ANS como un diagnóstico que necesita más estudio. El propósito de esta revisión es proporcionar información actualizada sobre este fenómeno, centrándose en: prevalencia, curso y pronóstico, factores asociados a la ANS, su relación con la psicopatología y el papel de los medios de comunicación, las redes sociales e internet. Finalmente se plantean algunas conclusiones y propuestas de futuro, insistiendo en la necesidad del trabajo colaborativo para un mejor entendimiento del fenómeno de la ANS en España, así como para plantear estrategias de prevención y tratamiento

Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is defined as the direct and deliberate destruction of one’s own body tissue in the absence of lethal intent. Following decades of progressive increase in the incidence of NSSI among adolescents and young adults, as well as growing scientific interest, the disorder was listed as a condition for further study in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (fifth edition). In this review we provide updated information on this phenomenon, focusing on: prevalence, course and prognosis; associated factors; its relationship with psychopathology; and the role of the mass media, social networks, and the internet. Finally, we discuss some conclusions and future proposals, emphasizing the need for collaborative work to better understand NSSI in Spain, and to improve prevention and treatment strategies

Síndrome de Asperger ¿Un trastorno del desarrollo diagnosticable en la edad adulta? / Asperger Syndrome Can the disorder be diagnosed in the adult age?

Introducción. El Síndrome de Asperger (SA) se caracteriza por la alteración cualitativa de la interacción social, un patrón de comportamiento, intereses y actividades restrictivos, repetitivos y estereotipados, con capacidad intelectual normal y unas habilidades lingüísticas normales en las áreas de gramática y vocabulario. Desde su inclusión en las taxonomías internacionales ha existido una gran controversia en torno a su validez nosológica. Caso clínico. Se presenta el caso de un paciente en el que se realiza el diagnóstico de SA en la edad adulta. Se presentan los resultados procedentes de la exploración psicopatológica, la exploración psicométrica de la personalidad y la evaluación del funcionamiento cognitivo. Conclusiones. Es posible diagnosticar el síndrome de Asperger en la edad adulta, especialmente cuando los datos retrospectivos y la exploración actual lo permiten (AU)

Introduction. Asperger Syndrome (AS) is characterized by a qualitative disorder of social interaction, a pattern of restrictive, repetitive and stereotyped behavior, interests and activities, with normal intellectual capacity and normal language skills in the areas of grammar and vocabulary. Since its inclusion in international taxonomies, there has been much controversy regarding its nosological validity. Clinical case. A patient with a diagnosis of AS in adulthood is described. Results from the psychopathological, personality and cognitive functioning assessment are included. Conclusions. Asperger Syndrome can also be diagnosed in adulthood and should be suspected when ever retrospective information and clinical assessment point to this diagnosis (AU)