Self-harming Behaviors Study of Adolescents in a Juvenile Detention House
Condition: Adolescent Behavior; Harm Reduction
Study type: Observational

Summary: 
      Incarcerated adolescents engage in suicide ideation, self-harming behaviors and have poor
      coping abilities, suggesting a need for mental health intervention and treatment. Previous
      research on self-harm among community adolescents revealed that self-harmers were more likely
      than non-self-harmers to report suicidal ideation, and having made a suicide plan.

      This study plans to evaluate the suicidal intent of self-harming and non-self harming
      adolescent admitted at juvenile detention house in Taiwan. Furthermore, this study also plans
      to identify the prevalence and types of self-harming activities of incarcerated youths.
      Another purpose is to investigate the coping abilities of incarcerated youth, with evaluation
      of efficacy of short problem-solving skills therapy intervention by trained psychologists of
      three sessions for adolescents with poor coping adjustment; referral to adolescent
      psychiatrist when severe mental disorder or poor coping abilities were found.

      By analyzing their suicidal ideation, self-harming behaviors, and coping adjustment, the
      investigators will be able to give timely intervention and identify effective means and
      methods for better serving this population. This study hopes to help the incarcerated youth
      to replace their self-destructive behaviors with effective coping adjustment abilities.
    

Detailed description: 
      Suicide among youth ranked third in Taiwan. According to a study by Lin, stressors include
      family, school and friends. Psychiatric symptoms also played a role (Lin, 2002) .
      Incarcerated adolescents with poor coping adjustment will be referred to psychologists. The
      psychologists were trained by the juvenile detention adolescent psychiatrist.

      Taiwanese adolescents have very high rate of self-harming activities, furthermore,
      incarcerated adolescents are expected to have a higher rate of self-harming activities. There
      are few studies done on self-harming activities, suicidal intent and coping style of
      incarcerated youth in Taiwan. According to a study on self-harming adolescents in a juvenile
      correctional facility, these youth have higher rates of suicide attempts and use more violent
      methods of attempt than adolescents in the general population (Penn, 2003). They also have
      poor problem-solving skills. We hope to study their suicidal ideations, self-harming
      behaviors, and coping styles in order to offer appropriate and timely intervention. We can
      then offer skills to deal with similar triggering events in the future.

      Furthermore, it is hoped that recidivism can be reduced after psychopathological
      intervention.
    

Intervention name(s): psychotherapy
Intervention type(s): Behavioral
Intervention description(s): short problem-solving skills therapy intervention
Observational model: Cohort
Time perspective: Cross-Sectional
Sampling method: Non-Probability Sample
Study population: 
        Youth admitted at juvenile detention center in Taiwan
      
Keywords: adolescent behavior; harm reduction