As many refugee minors have gone/go through stressful life experiences and uncertainty, one might expect mental health issues, including self-injury. However, literature on non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) in refugee minors is scarce. This study explores the prevalence, methods, and functions of NSSI in refugee minors in Belgium, and compares research results to the existing literature on NSSI in Western adolescents. Data were obtained from 121 refugee minors (mean age = 16.12, SD = 1.23; range 14–18 years) through schools located in the Flemish and Brussels-Capital regions of Belgium. The sample consists of 39.7% girls and 60.3% boys. Self-report questionnaires were used to explore socio-economic data, NSSI behaviour (e.g. The Brief Non-Suicidal Self-injury Assessment Tool; BNNSI-AT) and emotional and behavioural difficulties (The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire; SDQ). Non-parametric Chi square tests were used for statistical comparisons of the obtained data as well as independent-sample t-tests and Fisher’s exact tests. Results show a lifetime NSSI prevalence rate of 17.4%. Being accompanied or not, having both parents around, or living in an asylum centre did not influence NSSI prevalence. An average of 2.65 methods of NSSI was applied (SD = 2.50; range 1–9). The mean number of functions per person was six (SD = 4.97, range 0–16), with automatic functions reported the most. The data do point towards a greater psychological strain, with 68.4% reporting more than five acts of NSSI. Results of the SDQ’s Total Difficulties Scale and, more specifically, of the Emotional Problems, Conduct Problems, Peer Problems and Impact Scales indicate a substantial risk of clinically significant problems within the NSSI group. The Peer Problems and Impact Scales also point towards a high risk for suicidality amongst self-injuring refugees. Prevalence rates, methods and functions are comparable to Western samples. However, the higher incidence of the NSSI and the results on the SDQ also emphasise the vulnerability of refugee minors.

中文翻译：

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从零开始：比利时难民未成年人非自杀性自伤的流行、方法和作用

由于许多难民未成年人已经/经历了压力大的生活经历和不确定性，人们可能会预料到心理健康问题，包括自伤。然而，关于难民未成年人非自杀性自伤（NSSI）的文献很少。本研究探讨了比利时难民未成年人 NSSI 的患病率、方法和功能，并将研究结果与西方青少年中有关 NSSI 的现有文献进行了比较。数据来自比利时佛兰德和布鲁塞尔首都地区的 121 名难民未成年人（平均年龄 = 16.12，SD = 1.23；范围 14-18 岁）。样本由 39.7% 的女孩和 60.3% 的男孩组成。自我报告问卷用于探索社会经济数据、NSSI 行为（例如简短的非自杀性自伤评估工具；BNNSI-AT）以及情绪和行为困难（优势和困难问卷；SDQ）。非参数卡方检验用于获得数据的统计比较以及独立样本 t 检验和 Fisher 精确检验。结果显示终生 NSSI 患病率为 17.4%。是否有人陪伴、父母双方在身边或住在庇护中心都不会影响 NSSI 的患病率。平均应用了 2.65 种 NSSI 方法（SD = 2.50；范围 1-9）。每人的平均功能数为 6（SD = 4.97，范围 0-16），其中自动功能报告最多。数据确实指向更大的心理压力，68.4% 的人报告了超过五次 NSSI 行为。SDQ 总困难量表的结果，更具体地说，是情绪问题、行为问题、同伴问题和影响量表表明 NSSI 组内存在临床显着问题的重大风险。同伴问题和影响量表还指出自残难民的自杀风险很高。流行率、方法和功能与西方样本相当。然而，NSSI 的较高发生率和 SDQ 的结果也强调了难民未成年人的脆弱性。