@article{ref1,
title="Childhood cognitive ability and self-harm and suicide in later life",
journal="SSM - Population Health",
year="2024",
author="Iveson, Matthew H. and Ball, Emily L. and Whalley, Heather C. and Deary, Ian J. and Cox, Simon R. and Batty, G. David and John, Ann and McIntosh, Andrew M.",
volume="25",
number="",
pages="e101592-e101592",
abstract="BACKGROUND: Self-harm and suicide remain prevalent in later life. For younger adults, higher early-life cognitive ability appears to predict lower self-harm and suicide risk. Comparatively little is known about these associations among middle-aged and older adults. <br><br>METHODS: This study examined the association between childhood (age 11) cognitive ability and self-harm and suicide risk among a Scotland-wide cohort (N = 53037), using hospital admission and mortality records to follow individuals from age 34 to 85. Multistate models examined the association between childhood cognitive ability and transitions between unaffected, self-harm, and then suicide or non-suicide death. <br><br>RESULTS: After adjusting for childhood and adulthood socioeconomic conditions, higher childhood cognitive ability was significantly associated with reduced risk of self-harm among both males (451 events; HR = 0.90, 95% CI [0.82, 0.99]) and females (516 events; HR = 0.89, 95% CI [0.81, 0.98]). Childhood cognitive ability was not significantly associated with suicide risk among those with (Male: 16 events, HR = 1.05, 95% CI [0.61, 1.80]; Female: 13 events, HR = 1.08, 95% CI [0.55, 2.15]) or without self-harm events (Male: 118 events, HR = 1.17, 95% CI [0.84, 1.63]; Female: 31 events, HR = 1.30, 95% CI [0.70, 2.41]). LIMITATIONS: The study only includes self-harm events that result in a hospital admission and does not account for self-harm prior to follow-up. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: This extends work on cognitive ability and mental health, demonstrating that these associations can span the life course and into middle and older age.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="2352-8273",
doi="10.1016/j.ssmph.2023.101592",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ssmph.2023.101592"
}