Rasmussen, S., Hawton, K., Philpott-Morgan, S. and O'Connor, R. C. (2016) Why do adolescents self-harm?: An investigation of motives in a community sample. Crisis: The Journal of Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention, 37(3), pp. 176-183. (doi: 10.1027/0227-5910/a000369) (PMID:26831210)
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Abstract
Background: Given the high rates of self-harm among adolescents, recent research has focused on a better understanding of the motives for the behavior. Aims: The present study had three aims: to investigate (a) which motives are most frequently endorsed by adolescents who report self-harm; (b) whether motives reported at baseline predict repetition of self-harm over a 6-month period; and (c) whether self-harm motives differ between boys and girls. Method: In all, 987 school pupils aged 14–16 years completed a lifestyle and coping questionnaire at two time points 6 months apart that recorded self-harm and the associated motives. Results: The motive "to get relief from a terrible state of mind" was the most commonly endorsed reason for self-harm (in boys and girls). Interpersonal reasons (e.g., "to frighten someone") were least commonly endorsed. Regression analyses showed that adolescents who endorsed wanting to get relief from a terrible state of mind at baseline were significantly more likely to repeat self-harm at follow-up than those adolescents who did not cite this motive. Conclusion: The results highlight the complex nature of self-harm. They have implications for mental health provision in educational settings, especially in relation to encouraging regulation of emotions and help-seeking.
Item Type: | Articles |
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Status: | Published |
Refereed: | Yes |
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: | O'Connor, Professor Rory |
Authors: | Rasmussen, S., Hawton, K., Philpott-Morgan, S., and O'Connor, R. C. |
College/School: | College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Mental Health and Wellbeing |
Journal Name: | Crisis: The Journal of Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention |
Publisher: | Hogrefe Publishing |
ISSN: | 0227-5910 |
Published Online: | 02 February 2016 |
Copyright Holders: | Copyright © 2016 Hogrefe Publishing |
First Published: | First published in Crisis: The Journal of Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention 37(3):176-183 |
Publisher Policy: | Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher |
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