Citation

Bylund Grenklo T, Kreicbergs U, Hauksdóttir A, Valdimarsdottir UA, Nyberg T, Steineck G, Fürst CJ. JAMA Pediatr. 2013; 167(2): 133-140.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, American Medical Association)

DOI

10.1001/jamapediatrics.2013.430

PMID

23403894

Abstract

OBJECTIVE To investigate the risk of self-injury in parentally cancer-bereaved youth compared with their nonbereaved peers. DESIGN Population-based study of cancer-bereaved youth and a random sample of matched population controls. SETTING Sweden in 2009 and 2010. PARTICIPANTS A total of 952 youth (74.8%) confirmed to be eligible for the study returned the questionnaire: 622 (73.1%) of 851 eligible young adults who lost a parent to cancer between the ages of 13 and 16 years, in 2000 to 2003, and 330 (78.4%) of 451 nonbereaved peers. MAIN EXPOSURE Cancer bereavement or nonbreavement during the teenage years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios (ORs) of self-injury after January 1, 2000. RESULTS Among cancer-bereaved youth, 120 (19.5%) reported self-injury compared with 35 (10.6%) of their nonbereaved peers, yielding an OR of 2.0 (95% CI, 1.4-3.0). After controlling for potential confounding factors in childhood (eg, having engaged in self-destructive behavior, having been bullied, having been sexually or physically abused, having no one to share joys and sorrows with, and sex), the adjusted OR was 2.3 (95% CI, 1.4-3.7). The OR for suicide attempts was 1.6 (95% CI, 0.8-3.0). CONCLUSIONS One-fifth of cancer-bereaved youth reported self-injury, representing twice the odds for self-injury in their nonbereaved peers, regardless of any of the adjustments we made. Raised awareness on a broad basis in health care and allied disciplines would enable identification and support provision to this vulnerable group.

Language: en