Citation

Spears M, Montgomery AA, Gunnell D, Araya R. Soc. Psychiatry Psychiatr. Epidemiol. 2014; 49(4): 629-637.

Affiliation

Academic Unit of Psychiatry, School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Oakfield Grove, Bristol, BS8 2BN, UK.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1007/s00127-013-0767-y

PMID

24097260

Abstract

PURPOSE: Studies carried out in the West indicate that the incidence of self-harm (SH) is particularly high amongst adolescents, but few studies have investigated its incidence and aetiology in low-income countries. The purpose of this study was to investigate risk factors associated with new onset episodes of SH, amongst Chilean adolescents from low socio-economic backgrounds. METHODS: Prospective cohort study nested within a cluster randomised controlled trial. A 6-month follow-up for 2,042 adolescents, median age 14 years, from socio-economically deprived areas of Santiago, Chile. RESULTS: The lifetime prevalence of SH was 23 %. The incidence rate of SH at 6 months was 14 % amongst those reporting no SH at baseline. In multivariable analyses, risk factors for incident SH include depressive symptoms, suicidal thoughts, poor problem-solving skills and cannabis misuse. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence and incidence of SH in this socio-economically deprived sample differed highly according to gender. Poor problem-solving skills, suicidal thoughts, and cannabis misuse were associated with onset of SH.

Language: en