Youth physical and “social suicidal” behaviour in Hong Kong: a snapshot of mixed methods studies from a transdisciplinary perspective

Abstract

<p>Self-harm and suicidal behaviour are recognised as public health concerns. Prolonged social withdrawal behaviour or hikikomori is reported as a risk factor for suicidal behaviour. To examine the occurrence and additional risk of prolonged social withdrawal behaviour on self-harm and suicidal behaviour among Chinese young people. A few studies have been conducted by the authors in Hong Kong that adopted both quantitative and qualitative study methodologies. Particularly, a cross-sectional online survey was conducted with three universities in southern China. Hierarchical logistic regression analyses were conducted to investigate the different and similar sociodemographic and psychological correlates of self-harm and suicidal behaviours among male and female participants with hikikomori status.<br>Prolonged social withdrawal behaviour status was significantly associated with self-harm (OR=2.00, 95% CI=1.22, 3.29) and suicidal behaviour (OR=2.35, 95% CI=1.45, 3.81). In this presentation, we will present some of the findings of our previous studies that may shed light on depicting that prolonged social withdrawal behaviour may be seen as a form of self-harm behaviour and that both behaviours lead to detrimental psycho-social outcomes in short and long terms for the young people and their caregivers.<br></p>