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Protective Factors against Self-Harm and Suicidality among Australian Indigenous Adolescents: A Strengths-Based Analysis of the Longitudinal Study of Indigenous Children

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  • Md Irteja Islam

    (Sydney School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Edward Ford Building, A27 Fisher Road, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
    Centre for Health Research, and Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences, The University of Southern Queensland, West Street, Darling Heights, Toowoomba, QLD 4350, Australia)

  • Lisa Sharwood

    (Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
    Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2032, Australia
    Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia)

  • Verity Chadwick

    (Royal North Shore Hospital, Reserve Rd., St. Leonards, Sydney, NSW 2065, Australia)

  • Tuguy Esgin

    (Discipline of Exercise and Sports Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Level 6 Susan Wakil Health Building D18, Western Ave, Camperdown, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia
    School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, 270 Joondalup Drive, Joondalup, WA 6027, Australia
    School of Management and Governance, and UNSW Business School, University of New South Wales, Kensington, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia)

  • Alexandra Martiniuk

    (Sydney School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Edward Ford Building, A27 Fisher Road, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
    Office of the Chief Scientist, The George Institute for Global Health, Level 5/1 King Street, Newtown, Sydney, NSW 2042, Australia
    Dalla Lana School of Public Health, The University of Toronto, 155 College St. Room 500, Toronto, ON M5T 3M7, Canada)

Abstract

Background: Understanding and encouraging social and emotional well-being (SEWB) among Indigenous adolescents is vital in countering the impacts of colonisation and intergenerational trauma. As self-harm and suicidality are considered markers of poor SEWB among Indigenous communities, we aimed to identify the individual-level and community-level factors protecting Indigenous adolescents from self-harm and suicidality. Methods: Data came from Footprints in Time—The Longitudinal Study of Indigenous Children (waves 10 and 11), conducted among Indigenous families across Australia. A strengths-based analysis fitted multilevel logistic regression to explore associations with factors proposed as protective against self-reported self-harm and suicidality among Indigenous adolescents. Results: Our study cohort included 365 adolescents with complete data for the variables of interest. Adolescents had a mean (SD) age of 14.04 (0.45) years and a sex ratio of almost 1:1, and most were attending school (96.2%). Previous self-harm was reported by 8.2% ( n = 30); previous suicidality was reported by 4.1% ( n = 15). Individual-level factors protecting against self-harm and suicidality were being male, living in a cohesive family, and having low total Strengths and Difficulty Questionnaire scores ( p < 0.05 for all). Residing in major cities compared with regional/remote areas was protective against self-harm (OR 5.94, 95% CI 1.31–26.81). Strong cultural identity was not found to be a protective factor against self-harm and/or suicidality in the sample. Conclusions: This study identified key individual- and community-level factors that can protect Australian Indigenous adolescents against self-harm and suicidality, particularly family cohesion. Identifying strengths for this at-risk population can inform prevention strategies, particularly for rural living adolescents with high distress.

Suggested Citation

  • Md Irteja Islam & Lisa Sharwood & Verity Chadwick & Tuguy Esgin & Alexandra Martiniuk, 2022. "Protective Factors against Self-Harm and Suicidality among Australian Indigenous Adolescents: A Strengths-Based Analysis of the Longitudinal Study of Indigenous Children," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-17, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:15:p:9131-:d:872373
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    References listed on IDEAS

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