Adolescent self-harm in the community: An update on prevalence using a self-report survey of adolescents aged 13-18 in England

Morey, Yvette; Mellon, Dominic; Dailami, Narges; Verne, Julia; Tapp, Alan

Abstract

© The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Faculty of Public Health. All rights reserved. Background To establish an estimate of prevalence in a nationally representative sample of community adolescents. To examine associations between self-harm and wellbeing. Methods An anonymous self-report survey completed by 2000 adolescents aged 13-18 years across England.Wellbeing was measured using theWarwick-Edinburgh MentalWellbeing Scale (WEMWBS). Results In total 15.5% (n = 309) of participants reported ever having self-harmed (95% confidence intervals 13.9-17.1). The median age of onset was 13.0 years. Females aged 13-15 years reported the highest incidence of self-harm within the past year (54.9%). Cutting elsewhere (other than on the arms) was more prevalent amongst females (56.4%). The mean wellbeing score for the whole sample (45.6) was lower than the WEMWBS validation score (48.8). Self-harm was associated with a significantly lower wellbeing score, with mean scores of 38.7 (ever selfharmed) and 46.8 (never self-harmed). Conclusions Self-harm remains prevalent amongst adolescents aged 13-18 years in England. An awareness of the age of peak incidence and risks associated with preferred harming behaviours is crucial during assessment and intervention. The promotion of wellbeing is important for all young people. Further study is needed on the ways in which wellbeing may prevent, or ameliorate, the distress associated with self-harm.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jan 17, 2016
• Publication Date: Mar 1, 2017
• Deposit Date: Feb 19, 2016
• Publicly Available Date: Feb 17, 2017
• Journal: Journal of Public Health (United Kingdom)
• Print ISSN: 1741-3842
• Electronic ISSN: 1741-3850
• Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 39
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 58-64
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/pubmed/fdw010
• Keywords: adolescent, self-harm, community, survey, England
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/921754
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/pubmed/fdw010
• Additional Information: Additional Information : This is a pre-copyedited, author-produced PDF of an article accepted for publication in Journal of Public Health following peer review. The version of record Morey, Y., Mellon, D., Dailami, N., Verne, J. and Tapp, A. (2016) Adolescent self-harm in the community: An update on prevalence using a self-report survey of adolescents aged 13 to 18 in England. Journal of Public Health is available online at: http://jpubhealth.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2016/02/17/pubmed.fdw010.abstract
• Contract Date: Feb 19, 2016