Minor self-harm and psychiatric disorder: a population-based study.
Little is known about the extent to which minor self-harm in the general population is associated with psychiatric disorder. A population-based sample of 980 young adults was interviewed independently about past-year suicidal and self-harm behavior and thoughts, and psychiatric disorders. Self-harm included self-harmful behaviors such as self-battery, as well as traditional methods of suicide (ICD [International Classification of Diseases] self-harm). All with ICD self-harm and most with other self-harmful behavior met the criteria for DSM-IV disorder. Suicidal/self-harmful thoughts increased the odds for self-harm, even in men without psychiatric disorder (odds ratio 4.9, 95% confidence interval 1.3-17.9). Young adults engaging in even minor self-harm warrant screening for psychiatric disorder.
Skegg
Keren
K
Department of Psychological Medicine, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. Keren.Skegg@stonebow.otago.ac.nz
Nada-Raja
Shyamala
S
Moffitt
Terrie E
TE
D000328:Adult; D002391:Catchment Area, Health; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009520:New Zealand / Q000453:epidemiology; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires