ABSTRACT
Background: Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), as a major public health issue of high complexity, multifactorial causes and great socioeconomic and family impact, affects China now especially after COVID-19. The aim of this study was to explore the clinical and psychological characteristic in adolescent psychiatric patients with or without NSSI. Methods: : Adolescent psychiatric patients were recruited from psychiatric outpatient and inpatient unit in Guangdong mental Health Center between October and December 2020. NSSI was evaluated by the modified version of Adolescents Self-Harm Scale. Childhood trauma was assessed by the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-Short Form (CTQ-SF). Peer bullying experience was evaluated by The Revised Olweus Bully/Victim Questionnaire（BVQ-R). Depression was assessed by the Montgomery–Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). Clinical data were collected from electronic medical record system. Results: : The sample included 157 adolescent psychiatric patients (72.6% female), aged 13-18 years (M=15.39, SD=0.145). NSSI group experienced more peer bullying (t=4.08, P ＜0.001), more likely to get into romantic relationship currently(χ2=5.38, P =0.02), more times of hospitalization (t=0.36, P <0.001), receiving more antipsychotic treatment (t=3.58, P <0.001), benzodiazepine treatment (t=3.46, P ＜0.001), and mood-stabilizer treatment (χ2 =8.53, P <0.001). The significant predictor of NSSI for the last one year included being in romantic relationship currently (OR =4.27, 95% CI=[1.53,11.93]), outpatient (OR=0.38, 95%CI=[0.16,0.88]), BVQ-R total (OR=1.10, 95% CI=[1.02,1.18])，MARDS total (OR= 1.05, 95% CI=[1.01,1.09]), and benzodiazepine PDD/DDD (OR=5.79, 95% CI=[0.99,33.72]). Conclusions: : Adolescent psychiatric patients with NSSI have significantly higher incidences of life event such as peer bulling, childhood trauma experience, and they were more likely to get into a romantic relationship. Meanwhile, patients with NSSI had significantly severe level of depression, being more on benzodiazepine and mood-stabilizer use. This provides a valuable basis for our clinical treatment of adolescent mental patients with NSSI.