Research on Relationships between Sexual Identity, Adverse Childhood Experiences and Non-Suicidal Self-Injury among Rural High School Students in Less Developed Areas of China

Xuyang Li, Huilie Zheng, Winter Tucker, Wenyan Xu, Xiaotong Wen, Yixiang Lin, Zhihui Jia, Zhaokang Yuan and Wei Yang
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Xuyang Li: Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi, China
Huilie Zheng: Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi, China
Winter Tucker: School of Community Science, University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89557, USA
Wenyan Xu: Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi, China
Xiaotong Wen: Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi, China
Yixiang Lin: Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi, China
Zhihui Jia: Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi, China
Zhaokang Yuan: Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi, China
Wei Yang: Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi, China

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 17, 1-13

Abstract: Purpose : The objective of this study was to examine the influence of sexual identity and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) among rural high school students in less developed areas of China. Methods : Behavior risk factors data collected from 1810 students from a high school in Jiangxi province, China. Five measures of childhood abuse and household dysfunction were summarized, and ACE was divided into 0, 1, 2, 3–5 ACEs. Logistic regression analysis was used to explore the influence of sexual identity, adverse childhood experiences, and their interaction with non-suicidal self-injury. Results : Compared with heterosexual students, high school students who identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual (LGB) have a higher tendency of non-suicidal self-injury (AOR = 3.250, 95% CI = 1.69–6.28, p < 0.01). There was also a graded relationship between cumulative ACEs exposure and non-suicidal self-injury behaviors (AOR = 1.627, 95% CI = 1.02–2.60, p < 0.05). Odds for NSSI are higher among students with both experienced ACEs and identified as LGB (AOR = 2.821, 95% CI = 1.51–5.29, p < 0.05). Conclusions : Non-suicidal self-injury is associated with ACEs exposure and with those who identify as LGB, and the NSSI odds are greater when students identify as LGB and have experienced ACEs. More interventions to reduce non-suicidal self-injury should focus on LGB and ACEs and more attention needs to be paid to those who identify as LGB and have been exposed to ACEs.

Keywords: high school students; sexual identity; adverse childhood experiences; non-suicidal self-injury; less developed areas of China (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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