Griffin, Eve and McMahon, Elaine and McNicholas, Fiona and Corcoran, Paul and Perry, Ivan J and Arensman, Ella (2018) Increasing rates of self-harm among children, adolescents and young adults: a 10-year national registry study 2007-2016. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 53, (7), pp. 663-671.
PURPOSE: Rates of hospital-treated self-harm are highest among young people. The current study examined trends in rates of self-harm among young people in Ireland over a 10-year period, as well as trends in self-harm methods.
METHODS: Data from the National Self-Harm Registry Ireland on presentations to hospital emergency departments (EDs) following self-harm by those aged 10-24 years during the period 2007-2016 were included. We calculated annual self-harm rates per 100,000 by age, gender and method of self-harm. Poisson regression models were used to examine trends in rates of self-harm.
RESULTS: The average person-based rate of self-harm among 10-24-year-olds was 318 per 100,000. Peak rates were observed among 15-19-year-old females (564 per 100,000) and 20-24-year-old males (448 per 100,000). Between 2007 and 2016, rates of self-harm increased by 22%, with increases most pronounced for females and those aged 10-14 years. There were marked increases in specific methods of self-harm, including those associated with high lethality.
CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicate that the age of onset of self-harm is decreasing. Increasing rates of self-harm, along with increases in highly lethal methods, indicate that targeted interventions in key transition stages for young people are warranted.
F Concepts in psychology > Behaviour > Self-destructive behaviour / self-harm
J Health care, prevention, harm reduction and treatment > Risk and protective factors > Risk factors
T Demographic characteristics > Child / children
T Demographic characteristics > Adolescent / youth (teenager / young person)
T Demographic characteristics > Young adult
VA Geographic area > Europe > Ireland
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