Suicidal behavior and deliberate self-harm: A major challenge for youth residential care in Spain

Abstract

The aim of this study was to characterize and determine the incidence of suicidal behavior and deliberate self-harm among youth in residential care in Spain, and to explore the perceived knowledge and competence of direct care professionals with regard to recognizing and managing suicide risk. The sample comprised 185 adolescents aged between 12 and 18 years (M = 15.41, SD = 1.58; 49.7 % male, 49.2 % female, and 1.1 % non-binary) and 225 direct care professionals (Mage = 34.58, SD = 13.72). We found a high rate of suicidal behavior (36.2 % of adolescents reported suicidal ideation and 26.5 % had made a lifetime suicide attempt), and only a third of young people who had thoughts about suicide had sought help. Half of the adolescent sample had engaged in deliberate self-harm. Among direct care professionals, there was a perceived lack of knowledge with respect to recognizing and managing suicide risk behavior. Adolescents in residential care are a risk population that should be targeted with specific interventions aimed at preventing suicidal behavior. Training for professionals is also needed to ensure they have the skills required to ask young people about suicidal thoughts or intentions and to engage them with appropriate support services.