(PS11-54) Exposure to Self-harm Content on Social Media and Self-injurious Thoughts and Behaviors in Minority Teens

Social media (SM) has received attention as a risk factor for self-injurious thoughts and behaviors (SITBs) in adolescents; however, exposure to self-harm content on SM may be particularly important. Limited research has specifically examined the relationship between self-harm-related exposure on SM and SITBs in adolescents with minoritized identities. Given that minoritized youth are at higher risk of suicide and more likely to use SM, it is imperative to study the specific experiences these groups engage with on SM that may proximally affect SITBs. The current study examined whether the frequency of exposure to self-harm related content on SM in the past three months was associated with past-month SITBs, including suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI). A subsample of adolescents with a minoritized identity (i.e., racial/ethnic or sexual/gender) from a larger study completed an online survey describing exposure to self-harm content on SM in the past three months (e.g., “I saw other people I know posting about thoughts about suicide or engaging in self-harm”), SITBs, and depressive symptoms. 126 participants (13-17 years, Mean age = 16.01) identified as 62% Racial/Ethnic Minority, 50% Sexual Minority, and 17.3% Gender Minority. Logistic regressions were conducted to examine the relationship between the frequency of exposure to self-harm content on SM and SITBs in the past month, controlling for age, hours spent on SM, and depressive symptoms. Frequency of exposure to self-harm SM content was significantly associated with past month NSSI (B=.66, p=.002) and suicide attempts (B=1.96, p< .001), but not SI (B=.24, p=.23). Findings suggest that adolescents who are more frequently exposed to self-harm content on SM, regardless of the amount of time spent on SM, are more likely to engage in self-harm behaviors, including both NSSI and suicide attempts. Parents and clinicians should consider including conversations about exposure to self-harm content on SM when discussing and treating self-harm behaviors.