The prevalence of self-cutting and other self-harm among 13- to 18-year-old Finnish adolescents.
BACKGROUND
Deliberate self-harm has become more prevalent among adolescents.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the prevalence and the associated background factors of self-cutting and other self-harming behaviour.


METHODS
The study sample included 4,205 adolescents aged 13-18 years. Background factors, social relationships, alcohol and substance abuse, self-harm and self-cutting were assessed by a structured questionnaire including the Youth Self Report and Beck Depression Inventory.


RESULTS
The life-time prevalence of self-cutting was 11.5% and of other self-harm 10.2%, while the prevalence of current self-cutting was 1.8%. Self-cutting was associated with female gender and a very wide range of adverse psychosocial background variables. Parents living together were an independent protective factor. By contrast, there was no gender difference in the risk of other self-harm. Independent risk factors were depressive mood, somatic complaints, drug abuse, poor school performance and poor family relationships. No protective factors were found for other self-harm.


CONCLUSIONS
During adolescence, self-cutting and other self-harm are common. Adolescents who have self-cutting or harm themselves have wide-ranging problems in their lives. The specific characteristics of these phenomena need further investigation.
Laukkanen
Eila
E
Department of Adolescent Psychiatry, University Hospital of Kuopio, 70211, Kuopio, Finland.
Rissanen
Marja-Liisa
ML
Honkalampi
Kirsi
K
Kylmä
Jari
J
Tolmunen
Tommi
T
Hintikka
Jukka
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology; D017831:Diagnosis, Dual (Psychiatry); D005260:Female; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012652:Self Mutilation / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D012737:Sex Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires