Characteristics and trends of self-harming behaviours in young people

Cleaver, Karen (2007) Characteristics and trends of self-harming behaviours in young people. British Journal of Nursing, 16 (3). pp. 148-153. ISSN 0966-0461 (Print) 0966-0461 (Online)

Abstract

Deliberate self-harm is recognized as a serious public health issue in young people. There is evidence that young people who self-harm are more likely to repeat self-harm, and this in turn increases their risk of completed suicide. Prevalence studies have identified that the rate of self-harm among young people is on the increase, information largely based on data arising from review and analysis of hospital attendances. However, community-based studies indicate that the prevalence is much higher, with those seen in emergency departments representing the 'tip of the iceberg' (Hawton and Rodham, 2006). Young people's motives for self-harm are discussed, as are research findings which indicate that nurses can have negative attitudes towards patients who self-harm. The article considers the implications of this for young people and identifies areas for future research.

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