@article{ref1,
title="Frequency of Adolescent Self-Cutting as a Predictor of HIV Risk",
journal="Journal of developmental and behavioral pediatrics",
year="2008",
author="Brown, Larry K. and Houck, Christopher D. and Grossman, Cynthia I. and Lescano, Celia M. and Frenkel, Jennifer L.",
volume="29",
number="3",
pages="161-165",
abstract="OBJECTIVE:: A wide range exists in the frequency of adolescent self-cutting behavior; however, the implications of this variability are relatively unexplored. Although evidence suggesting a relationship between self-harm and sexual risk behaviors has been identified, little is known regarding the relationship between frequency of self-cutting and sexual risk. The present study aimed to test the hypothesis that adolescents who repeatedly self-cut would report more HIV risk behaviors and riskier attitudes than those who had engaged in infrequent self-injury. METHOD:: Adolescents (11-18 years; mean age, 15 years) from intensive psychiatric treatment programs with a history of self-cutting (N = 105, 53% female) completed measures of self-cutting, sexual risk behaviors, and risk attitudes. RESULTS:: Frequent self-cutting (more than three times, lifetime) was associated with being sexually active, using condoms inconsistently, and sharing cutting instruments. Frequent self-cutters were significantly more likely to be female and nonwhite, and report low self-restraint. They also showed a trend toward being more likely to have a history of sexual abuse. CONCLUSIONS:: This study found important differences in self-cutters based on frequency of cutting. Adolescent self-cutting may be a spectrum of behavior that ranges from habitual, repeated behavior contrasted with infrequent, experimental, socially motivated cutting. The associations between frequent cutting, sexual risk, and low self-restraint suggest that common underlying mechanisms may determine these patterns.  <p></p>  <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0196-206X",
doi="10.1097/DBP.0b013e318173a587",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/DBP.0b013e318173a587"
}