Autolesività non suicidaria (ANS) nei minori stranieri non accompagnati

Background: The impact of migration on children’s and adolescents’ mental health is an issue of increasing social importance. However, very little research has focused on the relationship between migration and nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) behavior in youth. In particular, attention should be addressed to the unaccompanied foreign minors, who represent an at-risk population. Few studies have examined the relationshipbetween NSSI and indirect or non-interpersonal potentially traumatic events, despite theoretical evidence suggesting that these factors may be relevant. Migration is considered as one of the major life events which often involves profound changes including a disruption of well-established relationships. Additionally, ethnic differences in rates of nonsuicidal self-injury have so far been little examined in spite of the importance of understanding the extent to which some groups may be at risk. Objective: The aim of the present study was to explore the relationship between non suicidal self-injury and psychopathological risk with respect to stressful experiences. Methodology: On a sample of 30 unaccompanied foreign minors of Afghan origin prevalence (mean age= 17 years), frequency and functions of NSSI were assessed as well as depressive and externalizing symptoms including both conduct disorder (CD) and oppositional defiant disorder (ODD). Discussion and conclusions: A substantial number (N= 20/30; 66,7%) of unaccompanied foreign minors reported NSSI behaviors in their lifetime and most of them (60%) declared to engage in this behavior repeatedly. Many of the behaviors occurred among adolescents who had several stressful experiences in their life. More specifically, repetitive NSSI seems to develop in the context of high emotional distress. Consistent with previous studies, the most common reported motivation among repetitive NSSI self-injurers is an attempt to reduceor escape from negative emotions and/or thoughts. Further a relation between ANS, ODD and DC wasfound. However, caution is needed with regard to these findings. Further research is needed for a better understandingof the relation between migration and nonsuicidal self-injury in unaccompanied foreign minors.

Premesse teoriche: L’impatto della migrazione sulla salute mentale dei giovani è un tema di crescente importanza sociale. Attualmente nella letteratura internazionale sono scarse le ricerche che si sono concentrate sulla relazione tra migrazione e comportamento autolesivo non suicidario nei giovani. L’interesse dovrebbe essere rivolto, in particolare, ai minori stranieri non accompagnati (MSNA) che rappresentano una popolazione maggiormente a rischio. Obiettivo: Il presente studio esplorativo intende analizzare l’associazione tra autolesività non suicidaria (ASN) e rischio psicopatologico in relazione a esperienze stressanti/ traumatiche. Metodologia: In un campione di 30 minori stranieri non accompagnati di origine afgana sono state valutate prevalenza, frequenza e funzioni dell’ANS. Sono stati, inoltre, esaminati i sintomi depressivied esternalizzanti, nello specifico, il disturbo oppositivo provocatorio (ODD) e il disturbo della condotta (CD). Discussione critica e conclusioni: I risultati mettono in evidenza che un’elevata percentuale di MSNA (66,7%) riferisce di aver praticato atti di ANS nel corso della vita e il 60% dichiara di averlo fatto ripetutamente. Inoltre è stata rilevata un’associazione tra ANS, sintomi depressivi e comportamentali (Disturbo Oppositivo Provocatorio e Disturbo della Condotta).