TY - JOUR PY - 2006// TI - Psychosocial factors associated with repeated deliberate self harm in adolescents JO - Psychiatria Danubina A1 - Arensman, Ella A1 - Sullivan, C. S. A1 - Corcoran, Paul A1 - Farrow, R. A1 - Keeley, Helen S. A1 - Perry, Ivan J. SP - 48 EP - 49 VL - 18 IS - Suppl 1 N2 - Objectives: To determine the psychosocial factors associated with repeated deliberate self harm (DSH) in adolescents aged 15 to 17. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was carried out among 3,830 Irish students, using an anonymous, internationally validated self-report questionnaire, as part of the Child and Adolescent Self-Harm in Europe (CASE): 2003-2004. Results: A lifetime history of DSH was reported by 333 (9.1%) of the adolescents surveyed. Only 11.3% of adolescents had ever presented to hospital after harming themselves. DSH was more common among females (18.5%, 95% CI, 15.2%-21.8%) than males (6.2%, 95% CI, 3.9%-8.4%). Of the teenagers who had harmed themselves, nearly half (45.9%) had a history of previous DSH. Repeated DSH was more common in those with high levels of depressive symptoms (OR=2.27, 95% CI 1.01-5.09). Knowing of friends who had engaged in DSH was significantly associated with repetition (OR=1.96, 95% CI 1.14-3.35). Conclusions: The survey provides evidence for the effect of imitative behaviour in relation to repeated DSH in teenagers. Taking into account that only a minority come to the attention of health care services, the findings of this survey underline the need to prioritize mental health issues in relation to young people in Ireland.
Language: en
LA - en SN - 0353-5053 UR - http://dx.doi.org/ ID - ref1 ER -