BACKGROUND: Reports of adolescent suicidal behaviour have generally derived from clinical settings but population-based studies are likely to provide a clearer epidemiological view. METHODS: Non-fatal suicidal behaviours were studied in 1699 Australian 15- to 16-year-old secondary school students at 44 schools in the state of Victoria, Australia. Self-reported episodes of self-harm were characterized using items from the Beck Suicide Intent Scale. RESULTS: The 12 month weighted prevalence estimate for deliberate self-harm was 5.1%. The commonest forms were self-laceration (1.7%), self-poisoning (1.5%) and deliberate recklessness (1.8%). Self-poisoning and self-laceration were commoner in girls. The prevalence of 'true suicide attempts' was 0.2%. Most self-harmers did not perceive death as likely, plan self-harming episodes at length or inform others of the episodes. Psychiatric morbidity had the strongest association with self-harm, an association which held for all subtypes. Antisocial behaviour and substance abuse were associated with self-harm in girls but not boys. Sexual activity was independently associated with self-harm in both genders. CONCLUSIONS: Deliberate self-harm was common but the great majority of episodes were not 'true suicide attempts'. It is, therefore, possible that attributable mortality and morbidity may be greater in self-harmers without definite suicidal intent.
BACKGROUND: Reports of adolescent suicidal behaviour have generally derived from clinical settings but population-based studies are likely to provide a clearer epidemiological view. METHODS: Non-fatal suicidal behaviours were studied in 1699 Australian 15- to 16-year-old secondary school students at 44 schools in the state of Victoria, Australia. Self-reported episodes of self-harm were characterized using items from the Beck Suicide Intent Scale. RESULTS: The 12 month weighted prevalence estimate for deliberate self-harm was 5.1%. The commonest forms were self-laceration (1.7%), self-poisoning (1.5%) and deliberate recklessness (1.8%). Self-poisoning and self-laceration were commoner in girls. The prevalence of 'true suicide attempts' was 0.2%. Most self-harmers did not perceive death as likely, plan self-harming episodes at length or inform others of the episodes. Psychiatric morbidity had the strongest association with self-harm, an association which held for all subtypes. Antisocial behaviour and substance abuse were associated with self-harm in girls but not boys. Sexual activity was independently associated with self-harm in both genders. CONCLUSIONS: Deliberate self-harm was common but the great majority of episodes were not 'true suicide attempts'. It is, therefore, possible that attributable mortality and morbidity may be greater in self-harmers without definite suicidal intent.
Authors: R Q Ivers; S J Blows; M R Stevenson; R N Norton; A Williamson; M Eisenbruch; M Woodward; L Lam; P Palamara; J Wang Journal: Inj Prev Date: 2006-12 Impact factor: 2.399
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