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Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health
Published in: Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health 1/2018

Open Access 01-12-2018 | Research article

Deliberate self-harm among adolescent psychiatric outpatients in Singapore: prevalence, nature and risk factors

Authors: Michelle Siu Min Lauw, Abishek Mathew Abraham, Cheryl Bee Lock Loh

Published in: Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health | Issue 1/2018

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Abstract

Background

Deliberate self-harm (DSH) is a prominent mental health concern among adolescents. Few studies have examined adolescent DSH in non-Western countries. This study examines the prevalence, types and associated risk factors of DSH in a clinical sample of adolescents in Singapore.

Methods

Using a retrospective review of medical records, demographic and clinical data were obtained from 398 consecutive adolescent psychiatric outpatients (mean age = 17.5 ± 1.4 years, range = 13–19 years) who presented at Changi General Hospital from 2013 to 2015.

Results

23.1% (n = 92) of adolescents engaged in at least one type of DSH. Cutting was the most common type of DSH reported. Females were three times more likely to engage in DSH than males. DSH was positively associated with female gender (odds ratio [OR] 5.03), depressive disorders (OR 2.45), alcohol use (OR 3.49) and forensic history (OR 3.66), but not with smoking behaviour, living arrangement, parental marital status, past abuse or family history of psychiatric illness.

Conclusion

Interventions targeting adolescent DSH should also alleviate depressive symptoms, alcohol use and delinquent behaviours.
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Metadata
Title
Deliberate self-harm among adolescent psychiatric outpatients in Singapore: prevalence, nature and risk factors
Authors
Michelle Siu Min Lauw
Abishek Mathew Abraham
Cheryl Bee Lock Loh
Publication date
01-12-2018
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health / Issue 1/2018
Electronic ISSN: 1753-2000
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13034-018-0242-3

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