Age of onset of self-harm in children and adolescents: a scoping review.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Self-harm is associated with significant distress in children and adolescents. The objective of this scoping review was to map the age of onset of self-harm in people aged ≤ 18 years alongside the definitions, operationalisation, and research methods used to determine onset.

Method

Following JBI guidance, this review included studies reporting the age of onset of self-harm in people aged ≤ 18 years in any context. Medline, PsycInfo, Embase, CINAHL Plus, and Web of Science were searched last on 7th May 2025 and supplemented by a grey literature search. Data were subject to basic coding and narrative and graphical presentation.

Results

A total of 42 studies were included in the review. Age of onset ranged from 9 to 18 years, but most studies reported a mean a

SUBMITTER: Wiggin D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12629077 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature