Predicting deliberate self-harm in adolescents: a six month prospective study.
Few studies have investigated the extent to which psychosocial/psychological factors are associated with the prediction of deliberate self-harm (DSH) among adolescents. In this study, 737 pupils aged 15-16 years completed a lifestyle and coping survey at time one and 500 were followed up six months later. Six point two percent of the respondents (n = 31) reported an act of DSH between Time 1 and Time 2. In multivariate analyses, worries about sexual orientation, history of sexual abuse, family DSH, anxiety, and self-esteem were associated with repeat DSH during the course of the study, but history of sexual abuse was the only factor predictive of first-time DSH. The findings suggest that school-based programs focused on how young people cope with psychosocial stressors may offer promise.
Department of Psychology, University of Stirling, Stirling, Scotland. ro2@stir.ac.uk
Rory C
RC
O'Connor
Susan
S
Rasmussen
Keith
K
Hawton
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012606:Scotland / Q000453:epidemiology; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires