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Nonsuicidal Self-Injury in Children and Adolescents

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Handbook of Clinical Child Psychology

Part of the book series: Autism and Child Psychopathology Series ((ACPS))

Abstract

Internationally, at least 1 in 5 adolescents and 1 in 16 children ages 12 and under report having engaged in nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) at some point in their life. Common methods of NSSI include self-cutting, burning, biting, hitting, carving (words or symbols into skin), and severely scratching. The reasons for self-injury vary from person to person and often change over time, but individuals self-injure most frequently to regulate or manage their emotions. There are several risk factors for engaging in NSSI. This chapter begins with a discussion about the variability of prevalence rates of NSSI among children and adolescents as well as a detailed review of common risk factors for engaging in the behavior. It then focuses on screening for NSSI and offers a step-by-step approach to completing a brief, yet thorough, risk assessment of self-injury, with special focus on the therapist’s role in wound care and assessment. This chapter ends with an overview of common treatment approaches for addressing NSSI and their evidence base. Here, modalities that target emotion dysregulation and those that target differential reinforcement of alternative behaviors as the mechanisms of change are delineated, and a brief discussion of digital interventions for NSSI and considerations for treatment choice are offered.

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  1. Department of Psychiatry, Children’s Health Systems of Texas & University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA

    Nicholas J. Westers

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  1. Department of Psychology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA

    Johnny L. Matson

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Westers, N.J. (2023). Nonsuicidal Self-Injury in Children and Adolescents. In: Matson, J.L. (eds) Handbook of Clinical Child Psychology. Autism and Child Psychopathology Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-24926-6_50

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