From Family Conflicts to Suicide Risk Through Deliberate Self-Harm Online Content in Adolescents and Young Adults / Beatriz Fuschini [et al.]
Bibliogr.: p. 11-14. - Abstr. eng. - https://doi.org/10.5708/EJMH.19.2024.0030
In: European Journal of Mental Health. - ISSN 1788-4934, eISSN 1788-7119. - 2024. 19. évf. 1. sz., p. 1-14. : ill.
Introduction: Family conflicts are considered a risk factor for deliberate self-harm (DSH) and even suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Research also shows that adolescents are increasingly engaging in online DSH activities. However, studies on this topic are scarce. Aims: This study?s first goal is to replicate the effect of family conflicts on suicidal ideation (SI) and, according to the gateway theory, include DSH diversity as a step preceding SI. Second, we aim to consider online activities in understanding suicidal risk. We start by describing online DSH activities, and propose a sequential mediation model in which family conflicts predict DSH and SI through online DSH activities. Methods: The convenience sample of this cross-sectional study consisted of 357 adolescents and young adults between 12 and 22 years old who completed a self-report questionnaire measuring family conflicts, online DSH activities, identification with DSH-related content creators, DSH, and suicidal ideation. Results: The results showed that 85.3% of our community sample used the internet for DSH-related purposes. Results also revealed an independent mediation effect of DSH diversity on the relationship between family conflicts and SI, and a sequential mediation effect of online DSH activities, identification, and DSH diversity. Conclusions: Engaging in online DSH activities is only predictive of DSH or SI if adolescents perceive a shared identity with this community of creators. The findings might yield implications regarding the design of prevention strategies that include a further supervision of online platforms and psychological interventions that incorporate the family system and peers. Kulcsszavak: adolescents, deliberate self-harm, suicidal ideation, family conflicts, online