George C Patton1, Sheryl A Hemphill2, Jennifer M Beyers2, Lyndal Bond2, John W Toumbourou2, Barbara J McMORRIS2, Richard F Catalano2. 1. Drs. Patton, Hemphill, Bond, and Toumbourou are with the Centre for Adolescent Health, Murdoch Children's Research Institute and Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne; Drs. Beyers, McMorris, and Catalano are with the Seattle Social Development Research Group, School of Social Work, University of Washington, Seattle. Electronic address: george.patton@rch.org.au. 2. Drs. Patton, Hemphill, Bond, and Toumbourou are with the Centre for Adolescent Health, Murdoch Children's Research Institute and Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne; Drs. Beyers, McMorris, and Catalano are with the Seattle Social Development Research Group, School of Social Work, University of Washington, Seattle.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To ascertain the association between pubertal stage and deliberate self-harm. METHOD: Cross-sectional survey of 12- to 15-year-olds in 300 secondary schools in the U.S. state of Washington in February-April 2002 and the Australian state of Victoria in June-August 2002. A total of 3,332 students in grades 7 and 9 provided complete data on episodes of deliberate self-harm in the previous 12 months and pubertal stage. Pubertal stage was assessed with the Pubertal Development Scale. RESULTS: The prevalence of deliberate self-harm was 3.7% with a more than twofold higher rate in females. Late puberty was associated with a more than fourfold higher rate of self-harm (odds ratio 4.6, 95% confidence interval 1.5-14) after adjustment for age and school grade level. In contrast age had a protective association (odds ratio 0.7, confidence interval 0.4-1.0). The sharpest rises in prevalence across puberty were for self-laceration and self-poisoning in females. Higher rates of depressive symptoms, frequent alcohol use, and initiation of sexual activity largely accounted for the association between self-harm and pubertal stage in multivariate models. CONCLUSIONS: Puberty is associated with changes in the form and frequency of self-harm. For adolescents with a gap between puberty and brain development, risk factors such as early sexual activity and substance abuse may be particularly potent.
OBJECTIVE: To ascertain the association between pubertal stage and deliberate self-harm. METHOD: Cross-sectional survey of 12- to 15-year-olds in 300 secondary schools in the U.S. state of Washington in February-April 2002 and the Australian state of Victoria in June-August 2002. A total of 3,332 students in grades 7 and 9 provided complete data on episodes of deliberate self-harm in the previous 12 months and pubertal stage. Pubertal stage was assessed with the Pubertal Development Scale. RESULTS: The prevalence of deliberate self-harm was 3.7% with a more than twofold higher rate in females. Late puberty was associated with a more than fourfold higher rate of self-harm (odds ratio 4.6, 95% confidence interval 1.5-14) after adjustment for age and school grade level. In contrast age had a protective association (odds ratio 0.7, confidence interval 0.4-1.0). The sharpest rises in prevalence across puberty were for self-laceration and self-poisoning in females. Higher rates of depressive symptoms, frequent alcohol use, and initiation of sexual activity largely accounted for the association between self-harm and pubertal stage in multivariate models. CONCLUSIONS: Puberty is associated with changes in the form and frequency of self-harm. For adolescents with a gap between puberty and brain development, risk factors such as early sexual activity and substance abuse may be particularly potent.
Authors: Keith Hawton; Helen Bergen; Keith Waters; Jennifer Ness; Jayne Cooper; Sarah Steeg; Navneet Kapur Journal: Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry Date: 2012-03-25 Impact factor: 4.785
Authors: Alexandra L C Martiniuk; Rebecca Q Ivers; Nick Glozier; George C Patton; Lawrence T Lam; Soufiane Boufous; Teresa Senserrick; Ann Williamson; Mark Stevenson; Robyn Norton Journal: CMAJ Date: 2009-11-16 Impact factor: 8.262
Authors: Jessica A Heerde; John W Toumbourou; Sheryl A Hemphill; Todd I Herrenkohl; George C Patton; Richard F Catalano Journal: J Adolesc Health Date: 2015-11 Impact factor: 5.012