Cross-sectional studies: SAB awareness and engagement
| Author, year (reference) | Number of SAB questions | SAB question/definition used in survey | Lifetime prevalence of engaging in SAB % (n) | Awareness of others’ engagement | Frequency of engagement |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bernadet et al, 201246 | 4* | NA | 9.9 (83) | NA | NA |
| Besnard and Ponroy 200444 | 8* | NA | 6.7 (13) | NA | Sometimes (30.76%), weekly (15.38%), at least once a day (7.69%), no response (47%)† |
| Bonnelye, 200745 | 14* | NA | 12 (58)*‡ | 28% | NA |
| Brausch et al, 20113§ | 1* | See Hillard, 201249 | 16.5 (398) | NA | NA |
| Center for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), 200827 | 1 | NA | 7.4 (467*) | NA | NA |
| Center for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), 201047 | 1 | Sometimes kids do risky things to ‘get high’ or to seek thrills. Have you ever been choked by someone or tried to choke yourself on purpose (like with a belt, your hands) for a short time in order to ‘get high’ or feel dizzy? | 5.3 (482*) | NA | NA |
| CDC, 201036 | 1 | The next question refers to the ‘choking game,’ also called knock out, space monkey, flatlining or the fainting game. This is an activity that some youth participate in to get a high by cutting off blood and oxygen to the brain with a belt, towel, rope or other item. Which of the following is true for you? | 5.7 (442*) | 30.4% | NA |
| Dake et al, 201029¶ | 1 | Have you ever played the choking game (pass-out game, space monkey, dream game)? | 5 (74) in middle school 11 (223) in high school | NA | NA |
| Diaz Jimenez and Valencia 201448 | >10* | NA | 54 (190) | NA | Once (11%), twice (16%), 3 times (26%),4 or more times (47%)† |
| Hillard, 201249 | 1 | Have you ever been choked by someone or tried to choke yourself on purpose (like with a belt, cord or your hands) for a short time in order to get high or feel dizzy? (called the ‘choking game’) | 17.1 (672*) in year 2008 13.4 (526*) in year 2010 | NA | NA |
| IPSOS, 201250 | 25* | Let's talk about this game where you have to hold your breath or stop your breathing. Which class were you in when you heard about this game for the first time?** | 16 (161*) | 32% | One time only (10%), multiple times (6%), never (84%) |
| Macnab et al, 200930 | 8* | NA | 6.6 (164) | 45% | NA |
| Maine Department of Health and Human Services and Maine Department of Education, 201251 | 1 | Have you ever participated in the choking game or assisted another person to do so? | 5.1 in middle school 7.4 in high school††,‡‡ | NA | NA |
| Oregon Health Authority, 201452 | 3 | This is an activity that some youth participate in to get a high by cutting of blood and oxygen to the brain using a variety of methods. Which of the following is true for you? | 3.9 (551*), year 8 3.8 (478*), year 11 | 18.8%, year 8 24.0%, year 11 | None (96.5%), 1 time (1.6%), 2 times (0.9%), 3–5 times (0.4%), more than 5 times (0.6%) (year 8) None (96.5%), one time (1.7%), 2 times (0.6%), 3–5 times (0.6%), more than 5 times (0.6%) (year 11) |
| Ramowski et al, 201228 | 2 | The next question refers to the ‘choking game,’ also called knock out, space monkey, flatlining, or the fainting game. This is an activity that some youth participate in to get a high by cutting off blood and oxygen to the brain with a belt, towel, rope or other item. Which of the following is true for you? (Please mark all that apply.) | 6.1, year 8 7.6, year 11†† | 22%, year 8 33.6%, year 11 | Never (93.9%), 1 time (1.9%), 2 times (1%), 3–5 times (0.9%), more than 5 times (1.4%) (year 8) Never (91%), 1 time (3.9%), 2 or more times (5.1%) (year 11) |
| Williams County Family and Children First Council, 200753 | 1* | NA | 11 (40*) | NA | NA |
| Williams County Family and Children First Council, 201054 | 2* | See Dake et al, 201029 | 6 (25*) | NA | NA |
*Number of students estimated by author based on available information and reported results.
†Based on sample of respondents who reported to have engaged in SAB.
‡Investigated engagement in dangerous games, including SAB.
§Brausch et al (2011)3 undertakes secondary analysis of Hillard (2012)49 data.
¶Dake et al (2010)29 seems to have incorporated Williams Country Family and Children First Council (2010) data.54
**Based on translation of paper.
††Exact number of participants was not able to estimate based on missing sample-size information in study.
‡‡Question asked about ever participation in SAB or assisting another person to engage in SAB.
NA, not available; SAB, self-asphyxial behaviour.