This article highlights some of the findings from a national inquiry into self-harm among young people, 'Truth Hurts', produced by the Mental Health Foundation and the Camelot Foundation.
This article highlights some of the findings from a national inquiry into self-harm among young people, 'Truth Hurts', produced by the Mental Health Foundation and the Camelot Foundation.
DESCHESNES Marthe, FINES Philippe, DEMERS Stephanie
Journal article citation:
Journal of Adolescence, 29(3), June 2006, pp.379-393.
Publisher:
Academic Press
To date, studies pertaining to possible links between body modification and risk-taking behaviours have been conducted mainly among targeted groups. The objective of this study is to examine the influence of a number of risk-taking behaviours on the probability of being pierced or tattooed among a general adolescent population. Data came from a cross-sectional study conducted among a sample of 2180 students aged 12–18. Data were collected directly from students through a self-report survey. Findings confirm the “risky” nature of these practices even though the tattooed and pierced subjects of this study were from a general adolescent population. Factors that contribute significantly to the likelihood of teenagers being tattooed or pierced, for both genders, are associated with “externalized risk behaviours” such as multiple drug use, illegal activities, gang affiliation, problem gambling, school truancy and rave attendance. Nowadays, tattooing and body piercing are perceived by many as body decoration, increasingly belonging to the realm of generational conformity. Contrary to this view, our results suggest that these practices among adolescents are mostly adopted by those who are involved in various deviant or illegal activities, which are often interrelated.
To date, studies pertaining to possible links between body modification and risk-taking behaviours have been conducted mainly among targeted groups. The objective of this study is to examine the influence of a number of risk-taking behaviours on the probability of being pierced or tattooed among a general adolescent population. Data came from a cross-sectional study conducted among a sample of 2180 students aged 12–18. Data were collected directly from students through a self-report survey. Findings confirm the “risky” nature of these practices even though the tattooed and pierced subjects of this study were from a general adolescent population. Factors that contribute significantly to the likelihood of teenagers being tattooed or pierced, for both genders, are associated with “externalized risk behaviours” such as multiple drug use, illegal activities, gang affiliation, problem gambling, school truancy and rave attendance. Nowadays, tattooing and body piercing are perceived by many as body decoration, increasingly belonging to the realm of generational conformity. Contrary to this view, our results suggest that these practices among adolescents are mostly adopted by those who are involved in various deviant or illegal activities, which are often interrelated.
Professors Chris Oliver and Glynis Murphy, the UK’s leading authorities on self-injurious behaviour, join forces to offer clear and practical information and advice to families caring for individuals with severe learning disabilities. In this 45 minute video/DVD you will also meet Laura and Tobias, learn how their self-injurious behaviour has affected their lives and the lives of their families, and how some simple, straightforward steps can help to reduce self-injurious behaviour. The video/DVD emphasizes understanding the causes and the function of the self injurious behaviour, and addresses issues such as the use of medication and protective devices. Produced primarily for family carers, this resource also provides a useful introduction to any professionals who may encounter self-injurious behaviour in individuals with severe learning disabilities
Professors Chris Oliver and Glynis Murphy, the UK’s leading authorities on self-injurious behaviour, join forces to offer clear and practical information and advice to families caring for individuals with severe learning disabilities. In this 45 minute video/DVD you will also meet Laura and Tobias, learn how their self-injurious behaviour has affected their lives and the lives of their families, and how some simple, straightforward steps can help to reduce self-injurious behaviour. The video/DVD emphasizes understanding the causes and the function of the self injurious behaviour, and addresses issues such as the use of medication and protective devices. Produced primarily for family carers, this resource also provides a useful introduction to any professionals who may encounter self-injurious behaviour in individuals with severe learning disabilities
Little Girl Lost is an account of a young woman's successful battle with self-harm and borderline personality disorder. Lovisa first self-harmed at the age of six and survived boot camp before becoming part of the psychiatric system. Little Girl Lost combines an intelligent creative mix of diary writing with powerful poems taking the reader through a roller coaster of emotions. She gives us some
Little Girl Lost is an account of a young woman's successful battle with self-harm and borderline personality disorder. Lovisa first self-harmed at the age of six and survived boot camp before becoming part of the psychiatric system. Little Girl Lost combines an intelligent creative mix of diary writing with powerful poems taking the reader through a roller coaster of emotions. She gives us some insight into her desire for acceptance for being herself. The author spent a period of time in hospital. She used to harm herself and hear voices. Her aim is to reach out to others and be accepted.
Subject terms:
life story work, personality disorders, self-harm, emotions;
O'CONNOR Rory C., ARMITAGE Christopher J., GRAY Lorna
Journal article citation:
British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 45(4), November 2006, pp.465-481.
Publisher:
Wiley
The central aim of the present study was to investigate the extent to which social cognitive variables could mediate the effects of past self-harm behaviour and clinical variables on intentions to engage in deliberate self-harm (DSH) and suicidality in the next three months. In addition, we aimed to extend the application of the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) beyond distal health outcomes to a behaviour that is proximal and extreme. A prospective study design was employed. Ninety parasuicide patients admitted via accident and emergency to a general hospital completed measures of hopelessness, depression, anxiety, past self-harm behaviour, standard TPB and group identity measures within days of an overdose. Three months later, participants were asked to complete a measure of suicidal thinking
The central aim of the present study was to investigate the extent to which social cognitive variables could mediate the effects of past self-harm behaviour and clinical variables on intentions to engage in deliberate self-harm (DSH) and suicidality in the next three months. In addition, we aimed to extend the application of the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) beyond distal health outcomes to a behaviour that is proximal and extreme. A prospective study design was employed. Ninety parasuicide patients admitted via accident and emergency to a general hospital completed measures of hopelessness, depression, anxiety, past self-harm behaviour, standard TPB and group identity measures within days of an overdose. Three months later, participants were asked to complete a measure of suicidal thinking and behaviour. There was clear evidence that the social cognitive variables were significant predictors of intention to engage in DSH and suicidality three months later. Depression was the only clinical variable which remained significant when all variables were entered into the final model to predict intentions. The TPB is a useful framework for understanding suicidal behaviour. The results extend the application of the TPB beyond distal health outcomes to a behaviour that is both proximal and extreme. Future research should explore the implications for screening assessment and suicide prevention.
British Journal of Psychiatry, 189(3), September 2006, pp.278-279.
Publisher:
Cambridge University Press
Although the high rate of suicide in elderly people is conventionally explained as being due to greater intent to die, we have noted elderly Sri Lankans dying after relatively mild poisoning. Using data from cases of yellow oleander poisoning, the authors investigated the effect of age on outcome in 1697 patients, controlling for gender and amount ingested. In fully adjusted models, people over 64 years old were 13.8 (95% CI 3.6-53.0) times more likely to die than those less than 25 years old. The high number of suicides in elderly people globally is likely to be due, in part, to the difficulty they face in surviving the effects of both the poisoning and its treatment.
Although the high rate of suicide in elderly people is conventionally explained as being due to greater intent to die, we have noted elderly Sri Lankans dying after relatively mild poisoning. Using data from cases of yellow oleander poisoning, the authors investigated the effect of age on outcome in 1697 patients, controlling for gender and amount ingested. In fully adjusted models, people over 64 years old were 13.8 (95% CI 3.6-53.0) times more likely to die than those less than 25 years old. The high number of suicides in elderly people globally is likely to be due, in part, to the difficulty they face in surviving the effects of both the poisoning and its treatment.
British Journal of Guidance and Counselling, 34(2), May 2006, pp.161-174.
Publisher:
Taylor and Francis
Acts of deliberate self-harm (DSH) by adolescents are thought to be on the increase. Many of those who self-harm are of school age and it is to be expected that schools (and their teachers) will be aware of the problem and will respond appropriately as part of their pastoral-care provision. However, a recent survey of research in pastoral care and personal-social education undertaken of the concept of deliberate self-harm, the need for a cautious raising of awareness, and the importance of supervision for front-line workers in schools are amongst the issues considered.
Acts of deliberate self-harm (DSH) by adolescents are thought to be on the increase. Many of those who self-harm are of school age and it is to be expected that schools (and their teachers) will be aware of the problem and will respond appropriately as part of their pastoral-care provision. However, a recent survey of research in pastoral care and personal-social education undertaken by the author found virtually no reference to DSH. It appears that empirical evidence about schools’ experience of, and responses to, DSH does not exist. This paper reports some of the findings of a Nuffield Foundation-funded study undertaken in England in 2003/2004. A variety of self-harming behaviours, from cutting to unnecessary risk-taking, were reported by the 34 teachers and other professionals interviewed in schools, pupil referral units and support agencies such as child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS). The findings indicate that teachers’ awareness of DSH is patchy and that their reactions are often those of shock, panic and anxiety. The implications of the findings for those in education are considered in the context of a discussion of the literature. The contested status of the concept of deliberate self-harm, the need for a cautious raising of awareness, and the importance of supervision for front-line workers in schools are amongst the issues considered.
Subject terms:
self-harm, school children, adolescence, child and adolescent mental health services;
British Medical Journal, 6.05.06, 2006, pp.1058-1061.
Publisher:
British Medical Association
This article reports on a school and community based study of young people living in the Central Clydeside Conurbation, Scotland. The participants were 1,258 people aged 19, surveyed in 2002-4 and followed-up since age 11 (1994). The main outcome measures used were lifetime prevalence of self harm and attempted suicide and their association with Goth youth subculture, before and after adjusting for confounders. The results found identification as belonging to the Goth subculture was strongly associated with lifetime self harm and attempted suicide, with a prevalence of 53% and 47%, respectively among the most highly identified group, and evidence for a dose-response relation. Adjusting for potential confounders did not significantly attenuate this association. Analysis of other youth subcultures showed that this effect was primarily associated with Goth subculture. It is concluded that identification as belonging to the Goth subculture was the best predictor of self harm and attempted suicide. Although based on small numbers, additional longitudinal analysis suggests both selection and modelling mechanisms are involved, selection mechanisms possibly being more likely.
This article reports on a school and community based study of young people living in the Central Clydeside Conurbation, Scotland. The participants were 1,258 people aged 19, surveyed in 2002-4 and followed-up since age 11 (1994). The main outcome measures used were lifetime prevalence of self harm and attempted suicide and their association with Goth youth subculture, before and after adjusting for confounders. The results found identification as belonging to the Goth subculture was strongly associated with lifetime self harm and attempted suicide, with a prevalence of 53% and 47%, respectively among the most highly identified group, and evidence for a dose-response relation. Adjusting for potential confounders did not significantly attenuate this association. Analysis of other youth subcultures showed that this effect was primarily associated with Goth subculture. It is concluded that identification as belonging to the Goth subculture was the best predictor of self harm and attempted suicide. Although based on small numbers, additional longitudinal analysis suggests both selection and modelling mechanisms are involved, selection mechanisms possibly being more likely.
Subject terms:
peer groups, risk, self-harm, young people, attempted suicide;
... that increased drug use in young people is causing more and more episodes of mental illness than ever before. Although thankfully suicide is a rare occurrence, episodes of self-harm and / or suicidal behaviour are not. Early intervention can prevent things from getting much worse later on.
Teachers come into contact with emotionally distressed young people on a daily basis and are often the first to pick up on the fact that the child or young person needs help. Depression and other problems can manifest themselves from early childhood onwards. Acute mental illnesses such as schizophrenia and bi-polar disorder often begin during the later teenage years. Recent research indicates that increased drug use in young people is causing more and more episodes of mental illness than ever before. Although thankfully suicide is a rare occurrence, episodes of self-harm and / or suicidal behaviour are not. Early intervention can prevent things from getting much worse later on.
Subject terms:
self-harm, suicide, behaviour, depression, early intervention;