Adolescent self-harm and suicidal thoughts in the ALSPAC cohort: a self-report survey in England.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Substantial numbers of adolescents self-harm, but the majority of cases do not reach the attention of medical services, making community studies essential. The prevalence of suicidal thoughts and plans at this age, and the inter-relationships between suicidal thoughts, plans and self-harm remain largely unexplored.

Method

Cross-sectional analysis of self-reported questionnaire data collected from members of the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) birth cohort, England. Respondents (n = 4810) were aged 16-17 years old and have been followed up since birth.

Results

Altogether 905 (18.8%) respondents had ever self-harmed. The prevalence of lifetime self-harm was higher in females (25.6%) than males (9.1%). The most commonly used method was

SUBMITTER: Kidger J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3439325 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature