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Factors associated with deliberate self-harm among Irish adolescents

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 January 2010

E. M. McMahon ,
U. Reulbach ,
P. Corcoran ,
H. S. Keeley ,
I. J. Perry  and
E. Arensman
E. M. McMahon
Affiliation:
National Suicide Research Foundation, Cork, Republic of Ireland Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College Cork, Republic of Ireland
U. Reulbach
Affiliation:
National Suicide Research Foundation, Cork, Republic of Ireland Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College Cork, Republic of Ireland
P. Corcoran
Affiliation:
National Suicide Research Foundation, Cork, Republic of Ireland
H. S. Keeley
Affiliation:
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, Mallow, Co. Cork, Republic of Ireland
I. J. Perry
Affiliation:
Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College Cork, Republic of Ireland
E. Arensman*
Affiliation:
National Suicide Research Foundation, Cork, Republic of Ireland
*
*Address for correspondence: E. Arensman, Ph.D., National Suicide Research Foundation, 1 Perrott Avenue, College Road, Cork, Republic of Ireland. (Email: ella.nsrf@iol.ie)
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Abstract

Background

Deliberate self-harm (DSH) is a major public health problem, with young people most at risk. Lifetime prevalence of DSH in Irish adolescents is between 8% and 12%, and it is three times more prevalent among girls than boys. The aim of the study was to identify the psychological, life-style and life event factors associated with self-harm in Irish adolescents.

Method

A cross-sectional study was conducted, with 3881 adolescents in 39 schools completing an anonymous questionnaire as part of the Child and Adolescent Self-harm in Europe (CASE) study. There was an equal gender balance and 53.1% of students were 16 years old. Information was obtained on history of self-harm life events, and demographic, psychological and life-style factors.

Results

Based on multivariate analyses, important factors associated with DSH among both genders were drug use and knowing a friend who had engaged in self-harm. Among girls, poor self-esteem, forced sexual activity, self-harm of a family member, fights with parents and problems with friendships also remained in the final model. For boys, experiencing bullying, problems with schoolwork, impulsivity and anxiety remained.

Conclusions

Distinct profiles of boys and girls who engage in self-harm were identified. Associations between DSH and some life-style and life event factors suggest that mental health factors are not the sole indicators of risk of self-harm. The importance of school-related risk factors underlines the need to develop gender-specific initiatives in schools to reduce the prevalence of self-harm.

Keywords

Adolescencedeliberate self harmgender differencesschool-based survey
Type
Original Articles
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 40 , Issue 11 , November 2010 , pp. 1811 - 1819
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2010

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