Deliberate self-harm in adolescents: A cross-sectional study from a rural medical college

ABSTRACT Background: Adolescents are vulnerable to psychological distress from developmental, emotional, and social pressures. Deliberate self-harm (DSH) in this group is a growing public health concern and a potential precursor to suicide. Understanding their demographic and clinical profile is vital for early intervention. Aim: To examine the demographic and clinical characteristics of adolescents presenting with DSH in a rural tertiary care setting in central India. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study included 62 adolescents aged 10–19 years referred to psychiatry after a DSH attempt. Assessments comprised the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Suicide Intent Scale (BSI), and Presumptive Stressful Life Events Scale (PSLES). Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the social Sciences (SPSS) v21.0 (International business machine corporation,Armonk, Newyork,USA). Results: Most participants (83.8%) were aged 17–19 years, with a slight female predominance (53.2%), from rural areas (88.7%), and of Hindu faith (85%). Ingestion of insecticides was the most common method (80.6%). A prior DSH history was absent in 87%. Adjustment disorder (14.5%) and depression (12.9%) were the leading psychiatric diagnoses. Low suicidal intent was observed in 61.2%, and 46.7% had mild mood disturbance. Family conflict was the most frequent stressor (56.4%). Adolescents with psychiatric diagnoses had marginally higher stressful life event scores ( P = 0.06), but no significant difference in suicidal intent ( P = 0.71) and depressive symptoms ( P = 0.10). Conclusion: DSH among adolescents is often vpredominance of pesticide ingestion reflects rural accessibility, underscoring the need for targeted psychosocial interventions, family support, and regulation of lethal means.