The associations between children's and adolescents’ suicidal and self-harming behaviours, and related behaviours within their social networks: a systematic review

Objectives: Social influences – including the suicidal and self-harming behaviours of others – have been highlighted as a risk factor for suicidal and self-harming behaviour in young people, but synthesis of the evidence is lacking. Methods: A systematic review of 86 relevant papers was conducted. Results: Considerable published evidence was obtained for positive associations between young people's suicidal and self-harming behaviour and that of people they know, with those reporting knowing people who had engaged in suicidal or self-harming behaviours more likely to report engaging in similar behaviours themselves. Conclusion: Findings are discussed in relation to a number of methodological and measurement issues – including the role of normative perceptions – and implications for the prevention of suicidal and self-harming behaviour are considered.