ERIC Number: EJ886317
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2010
Pages: 11
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1932-5037
EISSN: N/A
Self-Injury among Early Adolescents
Alfonso, Moya; Dedrick, Robert F.
American Journal of Health Education, v41 n2 p74-84 Mar-Apr 2010
Background: Whereas much attention has been focused on adolescent risk behaviors such as substance use, much less has been devoted to self-injury in the general adolescent population. Purpose: This study had two purposes: (1) describe the prevalence of self-injury among early adolescents in the general middle school population, and (2) identify behaviors that are comorbid with self-injury. Methods: This study involved a secondary analysis of data gathered from 1,734 6th and 8th grade students using the middle school Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Results: The prevalence of self-injury among middle school youth in this study (N=1734) was 28.4%. Although the relationship between having ever tried self-injury and gender was significant, the effect size was small. Multilevel logistic regression identified six variables that were significantly related to (P less than 0.01) having ever tried self-injury: peer self-injury, having ever tried inhalants, grade level, and belief in possibilities, abnormal eating behaviors and suicide. Discussion: This is the first study to empirically examine self-injury in relation to multiple risk behaviors within a community sample of early adolescents with the goal of informing school-based prevention efforts. Translation to Health Education Practice: School personnel can be observant for evidence of self-injury as well as other risk behaviors and be vigilant about experiences that may be contributing to their development. (Contains 6 tables.)
Descriptors: Health Education, Incidence, Prevention, Injuries, Health Behavior, Risk, Early Adolescents, Regression (Statistics), School Personnel, Middle School Students, Measures (Individuals), Eating Disorders, Inhalants, Suicide, Adolescent Development, Instructional Program Divisions, Peer Groups, Self Destructive Behavior, Gender Differences
American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. 1900 Association Drive, Reston, VA 20191. Tel: 800-213-7193; Fax: 703-476-9527; e-mail: info@aahperd.org; Web site: http://www.aahperd.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Grade 6; Grade 7; Grade 8; Middle Schools
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Florida
Identifiers - Assessments and Surveys: Youth Risk Behavior Survey
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A