Contagion of deliberate self-harm among adolescent inpatients

Objective: To explore the quantitative importance and clinical features of deliberate self-harm (DSH) contagion in a closed adolescent psychiatric unit. Method: The authors investigated with statistical methods and a sociogram whether acts of DSH were clustered during a 12-month study period. Twelve subjects were involved in acts of DSH, and their mean length of hospitalization-during the study period was about 90 days. Six adolescents with four or more contagion incidents were interviewed. Results: DSH incidents were clustered during the study period (p < .05). Most DSH incidents were skin cutting committed by depressed female subjects with borderline personality disorder. The majority of DSH contagion can be understood in terms of small-group rites for feelings of togetherness. Conclusions: Even a majority of DSH events in closed adolescent units may be triggered by contagion, and DSH can spread to previously DSH-naive adolescents.