@article{ref1,
title="Factors associated with deliberate self-harm among Irish adolescents",
journal="Psychological medicine",
year="2010",
author="McMahon, Elaine M. and Reulbach, Udo and Corcoran, Paul and Keeley, Helen S. and Perry, Ivan J. and Arensman, Ella",
volume="40",
number="11",
pages="1811-1819",
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.MethodA 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.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0033-2917",
doi="10.1017/S0033291709992145",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0033291709992145"
}