Self-Harm And Suicide During Adolescence

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Moran et al. found in their studies that the early detection and treatment of common mental disorder during adolescence is important to preventing suicide in young adults (Moran et al., 2012, p.240). Likewise, focus on modifiable risk factors of self harm and suicide in adolescence is of great importance when implementing interventions and prevention strategies. An established cognitive predictor of suicide is hopelessness (Miranda, & Shaffer , 2013, p. 16; Holliday, 2012, p.10; Hawton Saunders & O'Connor, 2012, p. 2375). In addition, researchers commonly found that during adolescence, incident self-harm was individually associated with symptoms of depression and anxiety, antisocial behavior, heavy alcohol use, drug use and cigarette smoking …show more content…
They can act as can either a risk factor or a protective factor for suicide. Individual negative life events and family adversity are huge risk factors for self harm. In addition, parental separation, parental death, history of physical or sexual abuse, family history of suicidal behavior, bully or interpersonal difficulties are all risk factors for self harm and suicide (Hawton Saunders & O'Connor, 2012, p. 2375Holliday, 2012, p.22). Research supports that low family and peer support is also a risk factor for suicide (Hooven, 2013, p.86;Pirruccello, 2010, p.36).Young people often report difficult finding adults with whom they can talk about their problems (Hooven, 2013, p.86). As pointed out by Daniel& Goldston (2009), since adolescence is a developmental period of vulnerability to negative family environments, this can have a profound effect on well-being especially in regards to suicide (Hooven, 2013, p.86). Feruson, Woodward, & Horwood (2000), Gould et al. (2003), and Johnson et al. (2002), found some common family risk factors are parental mismanagement, poor communication, low parent involvement, harsh relationship with parents and houses where family disagreements are prevalent (Hooven, 2013, p.86). Likewise, Hawton Saunders & O'Connor found that psychological stressors like relationship problems is frequently associated with suicide (Hawton Saunders & O'Connor, 2012, p.