title: Deliberate self-harm by Taiwanese adolescents.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Prevalence rates for deliberate self-harm (DSH) are unusually high among Taiwanese high school students. Several models have been advanced to explain the occurrence of DSH. One, the experiential avoidance model suggests that self-mutilation helps the individual escape from unwanted emotional experiences. The purpose of this study was to examine the demographic, health and behavioral correlates of DSH in a population (Taiwanese adolescents) known to have a high rate of DSH.
  
  
  METHODS
  A structured, self-administered questionnaire survey was completed by a sample of 742 vocational high school students in Taiwan.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eighty-four students (11.3%) acknowledged DSH behavior. Results of multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that female students were 3.47 times as likely as male students to be in the DSH group. Avoidance behaviors of running away from school [odds ratio (OR) = 3.45] and suicide attempt (OR = 13.05), a history of headache (OR = 8.96), a history of sexual abuse (OR = 4.26) and drinking (OR = 4.12) were also significantly associated with DSH.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Gender and a history of headaches, a history of sexual abuse, drinking, running away from school, or suicidal attempts were factors associated with DSH among Taiwanese adolescents. School personnel should be aware of these to formulate appropriate and timely interventions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, Panchiao, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Mei Hua
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.forename: Yi Hua
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Chih Dao
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Chih Yin
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Hsiao
authors.forename: Chia Huei
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Chien
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D000342:Affective Symptoms / Q000523:psychology*; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006261:Headache / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012309:Risk-Taking; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D012737:Sex Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013624:Taiwan / Q000453:epidemiology; D014829:Vocational Education