Investigating the Mediating Role of Mental Disorders in the Relationship Between Early Sexual Intercourse and Intentional Self-Harm: A Two-Step and Multivariable Mendelian Randomization Study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Epidemiological studies have established an association between early sexual intercourse and intentional self-harm. However, the causal mechanisms, particularly the role of mental health disorders, remain elusive.

Methods

In this Mendelian randomization (MR) study, we leveraged genome-wide association study data from multiple sources. Age at first sexual intercourse (AFSI) statistics were derived from the UK Biobank, encompassing up to 406,457 participants of European ancestry. Intentional self-harm (ISH) genome-wide association study (GWAS) data were obtained from the FinnGen Biobank, comprising 218,792 European-descent individuals. We investigated the causal relationship between AFSI and ISH and quantified the mediating effects of major depressive disorder (MDD;

SUBMITTER: Dong D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11615087 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature