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Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology
Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology 1/2009

01-01-2009 | ORIGINAL PAPER

The prevalence of self-cutting and other self-harm among 13- to 18-year-old Finnish adolescents

Authors: Eila Laukkanen, PhD, MD, Marja-Liisa Rissanen, RN, MNSc, PhD(c), Kirsi Honkalampi, PhD, Jari Kylmä, RN, PhD, Tommi Tolmunen, MD, PhD, Jukka Hintikka, MD, PhD

Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology | Issue 1/2009

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Abstract

Background

Deliberate self-harm has become more prevalent among adolescents.

Aims

To investigate the prevalence and the associated background factors of self-cutting and other self-harming behaviour.

Methods

The study sample included 4,205 adolescents aged 13–18 years. Background factors, social relationships, alcohol and substance abuse, self-harm and self-cutting were assessed by a structured questionnaire including the Youth Self Report and Beck Depression Inventory.

Results

The life-time prevalence of self-cutting was 11.5% and of other self-harm 10.2%, while the prevalence of current self-cutting was 1.8%. Self-cutting was associated with female gender and a very wide range of adverse psychosocial background variables. Parents living together were an independent protective factor. By contrast, there was no gender difference in the risk of other self-harm. Independent risk factors were depressive mood, somatic complaints, drug abuse, poor school performance and poor family relationships. No protective factors were found for other self-harm.

Conclusions

During adolescence, self-cutting and other self-harm are common. Adolescents who have self-cutting or harm themselves have wide-ranging problems in their lives. The specific characteristics of these phenomena need further investigation.
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Metadata
Title
The prevalence of self-cutting and other self-harm among 13- to 18-year-old Finnish adolescents
Authors
Eila Laukkanen, PhD, MD
Marja-Liisa Rissanen, RN, MNSc, PhD(c)
Kirsi Honkalampi, PhD
Jari Kylmä, RN, PhD
Tommi Tolmunen, MD, PhD
Jukka Hintikka, MD, PhD
Publication date
01-01-2009
Publisher
D. Steinkopff-Verlag
Published in
Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology / Issue 1/2009
Print ISSN: 0933-7954
Electronic ISSN: 1433-9285
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-008-0398-x

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