Nonsuicidal self-harm in youth: a population-based survey

• Published in: Canadian Medical Association journal 2008-01, Vol.178 (3), p.306-312
• Main Authors: Nixon, Mary K., MD, Cloutier, Paula, MA, Jansson, S. Mikael, PhD
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Analysis of Variance; British Columbia - epidemiology; Chi-Square Distribution; Child; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Health Surveys; Humans; Logistic Models; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Mental depression; Mental Disorders - epidemiology; Mental health; Polls & surveys; Prevalence; Psychological aspects; Risk Factors; Self destructive behavior; Self-Injurious Behavior - epidemiology; Surveys; Teenagers; Youth
• ISSN: 0008-4409; 0820-3946; 1488-2329
• DOI: 10.1503/cmaj.061693

Nonsuicidal self-harm includes cutting, scratching, burning and minor overdosing. There have been few studies that have examined the rate of self-harm and mental-health correlates among community-based youth. We performed a population-based study to determine the prevalence of nonsuicidal self-harm, its mental-health correlates and help-seeking behaviour. We used data from the Victoria Healthy Youth Survey, a population-based longitudinal survey of youth aged 14-21 in Victoria, British Columbia. The survey included questions about the history, method, frequency, age of onset and help-seeking for nonsuicidal self-harm. Youth were interviewed between February and June 2005. Univariable group differences were analyzed using students t test for continuous data and chi2 for binary or categorical data. Multivariate analyses were conducted by use of multivariate analysis of variance and logistic regression. Ninety-six of 568 (16.9%) youth indicated that they had ever harmed themselves. Self-injuries such as cutting, scratching and self-hitting were the most common forms of nonsuicidal self-harm (83.2%). The mean age of onset was 15.2 years. Of those who reported nonsuicidal self-harm, 56% had sought help for this behaviour. Participants who reported 5 or more symptoms (out of 6) in a given symptom category were more likely than those who reported less than 5 symptoms to report nonsuicidal self-harm for the following categories: depressive mood (odds ratio [OR] 2.18, confidence interval [CI] 1.28-3.7) and problems with regulation of attention, impulsivity and activity (OR 2.24, CI 1.33-3.76). We found a high lifetime prevalence of nonsuicidal self-harm. Many mental-health symptoms were associated with this behaviour, particularly those with depressive mood and attention-related problems. Just over half of youth reported seeking help for nonsuicidal self-harm. Clinicians who encounter youth should be vigilant to assess for this behaviour in youth who present with mental health issues.