Use of psychoactive substances by adolescents in different types of auto-aggressive behaviour

Abstract

The article presents research data on the characteristics of the psychoactive substances use in suicidal, self-harming and normative behaviour among adolescents. 131 adolescents with a high risk of suicidal behaviour, 142 adolescents with a high risk of self-harming behaviour and 553 adolescents with normative behaviour were examined. Methods used: the SL-19 questionnaire (Yunantskevich P.I., 2009) was used to identify adolescents with suicidal risk; “method of body modification and self-harm” (Polskaya N.A., 2017) - for identification adolescents with self-damaging behaviour, including the substance use (alcohol, drugs, tobacco). Based on data, it is concluded that half of adolescents prone to auto-aggressive behaviour are characterized by the formation of polymodal auto-aggressive complexes, including different types of auto-aggressive behaviour. Both suicidal and self-harming behaviours are accompanied by the use of different types of psychoactive substances (alcohol, tobacco and drugs). The most discernible use of substance is noted in the group of adolescents with a high risk of suicidal behaviour. An assumption is made about the need to develop comprehensive preventive programs that take into account different types of adolescents’ auto-aggression.

Keywords

• auto-aggressive behaviour
• self-harming behaviour
• suicidal behaviour
• substance use
• adolescents