Psychosocial Correlates of Self-Harm and Suicidal Behaviour in Young People: A Review
Main Article Content
Abstract
Self-harm and suicidal behaviour are serious public health concerns among young people, with significant effects on individuals, families, and communities. This review outlines definitions, prevalence, theoretical frameworks, and psychosocial factors linked to these behaviours. Key risks include depression, emotional regulation difficulties, impulsivity, low self-esteem, family conflict or abuse, bullying, and negative school experiences, while protective factors such as supportive family relationships, positive peer connections, and academic engagement can reduce vulnerability. The review also highlights the role of social media, evidence-based prevention and treatment approaches, and concludes with implications for clinicians, schools, and policy, along with directions for future research.
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
References
Glenn, C. R., & Nock, M. K. (2017). Examining the course of suicidal and nonsuicidal self-injury. Clinical Psychological Science, 5(3), 1–18. [Review].
Hawton, K., Saunders, K. E. A., & O’Connor, R. C. (2012). Self-harm and suicide in adolescents. The Lancet, 379(9834), 2373–2382.
Hermosillo-de-la-Torre, A. E., et al. (2021). Psychosocial correlates of suicidal behavior among adolescents and young adults. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(9), 4763. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18094763
Klonsky, E. D., & May, A. M. (2015). A three-step theory (3ST) of suicide: Developing an ideation-to-action framework. International Journal of Cognitive Therapy, 8(2), 114–129. (See also Klonsky, 2021).
Mars, B., Heron, J., Begum, F., et al. (2019). Predictors of future suicide attempt among adolescents with suicidal thoughts and non-suicidal self-harm: A population-based cohort study. The Lancet Psychiatry, 6(4), 327–337.
McCauley, E., Berk, M. S., Asarnow, J. R., et al. (2018). Efficacy of dialectical behavior therapy for adolescents at high risk for suicide: A randomized clinical trial. JAMA Psychiatry, 75(8), 777–785.
Mehlum, L., Ramberg, M., Haga, E., et al. (2014). Dialectical behaviour therapy for adolescents with repeated suicidal and self-harming behaviour: A randomized trial. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 53(10), 1089–1098.
Meng, L., et al. (2022). The psychosocial correlates of non-suicidal self-injury among Chinese adolescents: The role of self-esteem and psychological distress. Frontiers in Public Health, 10, 768400. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2022.768400
Nock, M. K. (2006). Non-suicidal self-injury among adolescents: Diagnostic and clinical considerations. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 62(5), 1129–1139.
Shek, D. T. L., & Liu, T. T. (2012). Self-harm and suicidal behaviors in Hong Kong adolescents: Prevalence and psychosocial correlates. The Scientific World Journal, 2012, 932540. https://doi.org/10.1100/2012/932540
The Lancet Commission on Self-Harm. (2024). [Commission report summary]. The Lancet.
World Health Organization. (2025). Adolescent mental health [Fact sheet]. WHO.