Citation

Madge N, Hewitt A, Arensman E, Fekete S, Hawton KE, van Heeringen CK, De Leo D, de Wilde EJ, Ystgaard M. Psychiatr. Danub. 2006; 18(Suppl 1): 48.

Affiliation

National Children's Bureau, 8 Wakley Street, EC1V 7QE London, England. nmadge@googlemail.com.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, Facultas Universitatis Studiorum Zagrabiensis - Danube Symposion of Psychiatry)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

16963922

Abstract

Objectives: The Child & Adolescent Self-harm in Europe (CASE) Study has been carried out with over 30,000 15 and 16 year-olds in seven countries (Australia, Belgium, England, Hungary, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Norway) to investigate the extent and profile of deliberate self-harm, and associated factors, among students at school. This presentation looks at the prevalence of self-harm and thoughts of self-harm, as well as methods, motives and repetition. It also examines the life events and personal characteristics that increase the risk of self-harm. Differences by gender and country are explored throughout. Methods: Information was collected via an anonymous questionnaire and included questions on deliberate self-harm as well as on life events, lifestyle, anxiety and depression, coping skills, self-esteem and impulsivity. Comparisons were drawn between those who did and did not meet study criteria for a classification of self-harm. Findings: The findings suggest that, in four of the seven countries, at least one in ten females had harmed themselves in the previous year. The factors most consistently and independently associated with self-harm, across both countries and gender, were attempted suicide or deliberate self-harm in a family member, drug use and a low self-concept.

Language: en