A shock survey of over 6,000 teenage girls found that they were four times more likely to have engaged in deliberate self-harm compared to boys; with 11 per cent of girls and 3 per cent of boys reporting that they had self-harmed within the last year. Previous estimates for self-harm carried out by teens was substantially lower, based on presentations at hospitals. "Until now, most studies of deliberate self-harm in adolescents in the UK have been based on the cases that reach hospital. We have found that the true extent of self-harm in England is significantly wider than that," said study researcher Dr Karen Rodham, from the University of Bath. The findings, along with practical advice for teachers on how to detect young people at risk, have been published in the new book: By Their Own Young Hand.
While the research was carried out in the UK, the results can reasonably be extrapolated to other western nations. Self-poisoning was the most common form of self-harm reported in hospitals, but overall, the study revealed that self-cutting was the more prevalent form of self-harm (64 percent), followed by self-poisoning through overdose (31 percent).
"In many cases, self-harming behavior represents a transient period of distress, but for others it is an important indicator of mental health problems and a risk of suicide. It is important that we develop effective school-based initiatives that help tackle what has become a most pressing health issue for teenagers," said Professor Keith Hawton, from the Centre for Suicide Research at the University of Oxford, who directed the project.
"The reasons why boys and girls decide to self-harm are varied but the most frequent motive expressed by both males and females was as a means of coping with distress," said Dr Rodham. Somewhat predictably, there was an incremental increase in deliberate self-harm with increased consumption of cigarettes or alcohol, and all categories of drug use. Bullying and physical and sexual abuse were also strongly associated with self-harm behavior. Dr Rodham added that teens of either sex who had recently been worried about their sexual orientation had relatively higher rates of self-harm.
"Whilst effort to encourage adolescents to seek help through friends, family, help lines and clinical services are very relevant, prevention should be focused on reducing the problems that lead to thoughts of self-harm," Prof Hawton said. "This is where school-based initiatives can make the most important contribution to this important aspect of mental health."
Source: University of Bath
