IMPACTS OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON METHODS AND RECURRENCE OF SELF-HARM AMONG BRAZILIAN ADOLESCENTS

Resumo

This study analyzed predictors of recurrence and methods of self-harm among Brazilian adolescents, considering demographic, contextual, and violence-related variables across the pre-pandemic, pandemic, and post-pandemic periods. This is a cross-sectional epidemiological study comprising 78,658 self-harm notifications recorded in the Information System for Notifiable Diseases (Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação [SINAN]) between 2018 and 2022, covering seven [1]Brazilian states. Descriptive analyses and multiple logistic regressions examined associations between recurrence, self-harm methods, demographic variables, and exposure to other forms of violence. Self-harm predominantly affected adolescents who were female, white, living in urban areas, and exposed to domestic violence. Poisoning/intoxication and sharp objects were the most frequent methods, while 47.7% of cases were recurrent. The pandemic period showed a reduction in overall notifications but an increase in more lethal methods, especially hanging. Recurrence was more frequent among boys, adolescents with disabilities or mental disorders, and those exposed to multiple types of violence. The predictive models indicated strong associations between exposure to interpersonal violence and the methods used for self-harm.