BACKGROUND: Deliberate self-harm has become more prevalent among adolescents. AIMS: To investigate the prevalence and the associated background factors of self-cutting and other self-harming behaviour. METHODS: The study sample included 4,205 adolescents aged 13-18 years. Background factors, social relationships, alcohol and substance abuse, self-harm and self-cutting were assessed by a structured questionnaire including the Youth Self Report and Beck Depression Inventory. RESULTS: The life-time prevalence of self-cutting was 11.5% and of other self-harm 10.2%, while the prevalence of current self-cutting was 1.8%. Self-cutting was associated with female gender and a very wide range of adverse psychosocial background variables. Parents living together were an independent protective factor. By contrast, there was no gender difference in the risk of other self-harm. Independent risk factors were depressive mood, somatic complaints, drug abuse, poor school performance and poor family relationships. No protective factors were found for other self-harm. CONCLUSIONS: During adolescence, self-cutting and other self-harm are common. Adolescents who have self-cutting or harm themselves have wide-ranging problems in their lives. The specific characteristics of these phenomena need further investigation.
BACKGROUND: Deliberate self-harm has become more prevalent among adolescents. AIMS: To investigate the prevalence and the associated background factors of self-cutting and other self-harming behaviour. METHODS: The study sample included 4,205 adolescents aged 13-18 years. Background factors, social relationships, alcohol and substance abuse, self-harm and self-cutting were assessed by a structured questionnaire including the Youth Self Report and Beck Depression Inventory. RESULTS: The life-time prevalence of self-cutting was 11.5% and of other self-harm 10.2%, while the prevalence of current self-cutting was 1.8%. Self-cutting was associated with female gender and a very wide range of adverse psychosocial background variables. Parents living together were an independent protective factor. By contrast, there was no gender difference in the risk of other self-harm. Independent risk factors were depressive mood, somatic complaints, drug abuse, poor school performance and poor family relationships. No protective factors were found for other self-harm. CONCLUSIONS: During adolescence, self-cutting and other self-harm are common. Adolescents who have self-cutting or harm themselves have wide-ranging problems in their lives. The specific characteristics of these phenomena need further investigation.
Authors: Paul L Plener; Constanze J Fischer; Tina In-Albon; Brigitte Rollett; Mary K Nixon; Rebecca C Groschwitz; Marc Schmid Journal: Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol Date: 2013-01-05 Impact factor: 4.328
Authors: Shirley B Wang; Emily M Pisetsky; Julie M Skutch; Alan E Fruzzetti; Ann F Haynos Journal: Compr Psychiatry Date: 2018-02-11 Impact factor: 3.735
Authors: Jennifer J Muehlenkamp; Laurence Claes; Lindsey Havertape; Paul L Plener Journal: Child Adolesc Psychiatry Ment Health Date: 2012-03-30 Impact factor: 3.033