Firdha Ainil Hakim, Netrawati

The Phenomenon of Self-Harm Risky Behavior and Health Neglect Among Adolescent Girls in Padang City

Introduction

The phenomenon of self-harm risky behavior and health neglect among adolescent girls in padang city. Explore self-harm, risky behavior, and health neglect among adolescent girls in Padang City. Study reveals low to moderate levels of self-injury, eating disorders, and neglect, urging early intervention.

Abstract

Self-harm is a behavior of intentionally hurting oneself that often emerges among adolescents, particularly girls, as a coping mechanism for emotional and social pressures. This study aims to explore the characteristics of self-harm behavior among adolescents by examining four main aspects: overt self-harm, eating disorder, high lethal actions, and behaviors relating to medical issues. A total of 127 respondents participated in the study, with the majority aged 16–17 years (42.52%), predominantly Minang ethnic group (95.28%), most attending religious classes (74.02%), and mostly from complete family backgrounds (85.83%). Data were collected using self-report questionnaires and analyzed descriptively to identify the frequency, percentage, and category of self-harm indicators. The results indicate that overt self-harm behaviors such as intentionally injuring oneself, hitting the body, or burning the skin were mostly found at a low level, although a small portion reached the moderate category. In the eating disorder aspect, indicators such as fasting for 24 hours due to guilt, skipping meals for attention, and using laxatives as self-punishment were generally categorized as low, with only fasting behavior reaching moderate. Similarly, the high lethal aspect, including consuming excessive medication, ignoring dosage, and attempted suicide through wrist-cutting, was also categorized as low. Lastly, behaviors relating to medical issues, such as not treating wounds, ignoring medication when sick, or using unauthorized prescription drugs, were likewise predominantly in the low category. Overall, the findings reveal that although self-harm tendencies are present among adolescents, the majority are at a low level across all aspects, with only certain eating disorder and overt self-harm indicators reaching moderate levels. These results highlight the importance of early detection and preventive interventions to minimize the escalation of self-harm behaviors among adolescents.

Review

This study addresses a highly relevant and critical issue: self-harm risky behavior and health neglect among adolescent girls, specifically focusing on Padang City. The chosen population and geographical context provide valuable insights into regional variations and cultural influences on these behaviors. The research clearly outlines its aim to explore self-harm characteristics across four distinct and comprehensive aspects (overt self-harm, eating disorder, high lethal actions, and medical issues), demonstrating a systematic approach to categorizing complex behaviors. The sample size of 127 respondents is reasonable for a descriptive study of this nature, and the detailed demographic breakdown (age, ethnicity, family background) adds useful context, indicating a well-defined study population. While the study provides a valuable descriptive overview, several areas could be enhanced for a more robust contribution. The reliance solely on self-report questionnaires, without triangulation with other data sources (e.g., clinical assessments, in-depth interviews), may limit the depth and accuracy of reported self-harm behaviors, especially given the sensitive nature of the topic. The abstract mentions descriptive analysis, but a deeper exploration into potential correlations between demographic factors (e.g., family background, religious classes) and the *levels* of self-harm, or between the different self-harm aspects, would strengthen the findings beyond mere frequency and percentage. Furthermore, the abstract lacks a clear theoretical framework or discussion of underlying mechanisms beyond "coping mechanism," which could enrich the interpretation of *why* these behaviors manifest at certain levels within this specific population. Overall, this study offers important initial insights into the prevalence and characteristics of self-harm and health neglect tendencies among adolescent girls in Padang City, highlighting that while present, most indicators fall into the low category, with some exceptions in eating disorder and overt self-harm. The findings rightly underscore the importance of early detection and preventive interventions. For future iterations or a full manuscript, I would recommend a more in-depth discussion of the methodological choices, particularly regarding the validation of the self-report instrument for this specific cultural context, and a more analytical approach to data interpretation that moves beyond descriptive statistics. Exploring the qualitative dimensions or the socio-cultural factors that might explain the observed low to moderate levels of self-harm would significantly enrich the study's impact and inform more targeted interventions.

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