title: Characteristics and trends of self-harming behaviour in young people.
abstract: Deliberate self-harm is recognized as a serious public health issue in young people. There is evidence that young people who self-harm are more likely to repeat self-harm, and this in turn increases their risk of completed suicide. Prevalence studies have identified that the rate of self-harm among young people is on the increase, information largely based on data arising from review and analysis of hospital attendances. However, community-based studies indicate that the prevalence is much higher, with those seen in emergency departments representing the 'tip of the iceberg' (Hawton and Rodham, 2006). Young people's motives for self-harm are discussed, as are research findings which indicate that nurses can have negative attitudes towards patients who self-harm. The article considers the implications of this for young people and identifies areas for future research.
authors.affiliation: Family Care and Mental Health, School of Health and Social Care, University of Greenwich, London.
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Cleaver
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D000296:Adolescent Psychiatry; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D016529:Emergency Nursing / Q000379:methods; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D011159:Population Surveillance; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D015995:Prevalence; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D012008:Recurrence; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology