TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2004//
TI  - Who are the kids who self-harm? An Australian self-report school survey
JO  - Medical journal of Australia
A1  - Heller, Travis S.
A1  - De Leo, Diego
SP  - 140
EP  - 144
VL  - 181
IS  - 3
N2  - OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and types of deliberate self-harm (DSH) in adolescents, and associated factors. DESIGN: A cross-sectional questionnaire study. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: 3757 of 4097 Year 10 and Year 11 students (91.7%) from 14 high schools on the Gold Coast, Queensland, during September 2002. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: DSH behaviour, including descriptions of the last act, psychological symptoms, recent stressors, coping styles, help-seeking behaviour, lifestyle choices, and self-prescribing of medications. RESULTS: 233 students (6.2%) met the criteria for DSH in the previous 12 months, with DSH more prevalent in females than males (OR, 7.5; 95% CI, 5.1-10.9). The main methods were self-cutting (138 respondents; 59.2%) and overdosing with medication (69 respondents; 29.6%). Factors associated with DSH included similar behaviours in friends or family, coping by self-blame, and self-prescribing of medications. Most self-harmers did not seek help before or after their most recent action, with those who did primarily consulting friends. CONCLUSIONS: DSH is common in Australian youth, especially in females. Preventive programs should encourage young people to consult health professionals in stressful situations.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0025-729X
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/
ID  - ref1
ER  -