Adverse childhood experiences and hospital-treated self-harm

Cleare, S. , Wetherall, K., Clark, A., Ryan, C., Kirtley, O., Smith, M. and O'Connor, R. (2018) Adverse childhood experiences and hospital-treated self-harm. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 15(6), 1235. (doi: 10.3390/ijerph15061235)

Abstract

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have been implicated in a range of negative health outcomes in adulthood, including increased suicide mortality. In this study, we explored the relationship between ACEs and hospital-treated self-harm. Specifically, we investigated whether those who had a history of repeat self-harm reported more ACEs than those who had self-harmed for the first time. Patients (n = 189) admitted to two hospitals in Glasgow (UK) following first-time (n = 41) or repeated (n = 148) self-harm completed psychosocial measures. Univariate analyses revealed that those presenting with repeat self-harm reported higher depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, intent to die, and ACEs, and lower dependent attachment style. However, only ACEs, along with female gender and depressive symptoms, significantly differentiated between the repeat self-harm group and the first-time self-harm group in the multivariate model. Controlling for all other psychosocial variables, participants who reported 4+ ACEs were significantly more likely to be in the repeat self-harm group as compared to those who experienced 0–3 ACEs. This finding highlights the pernicious effect of exposure to multiple ACEs. Further research is urgently required to better understand the mechanisms that explain this relationship. Clinicians should be aware of the extent of the association between ACEs and repeat self-harm.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: The study was funded by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Mental Health and Sexual Health Partnerships and NHS Health Scotland.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Ryan, Dr Caoimhe and O'Connor, Professor Rory and Smith, Dr Michael and Cleare, Dr Seonaid and Wetherall, Miss Karen and Kirtley, Dr Olivia and Clark, Miss Andrea
• Authors: Cleare, S., Wetherall, K., Clark, A., Ryan, C., Kirtley, O., Smith, M., and O'Connor, R.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Health Economics and Health Technology Assessment; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Mental Health and Wellbeing
• Journal Name: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
• Publisher: MDPI
• ISSN: 1661-7827
• ISSN (Online): 1660-4601
• Published Online: 11 June 2018
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2018 The Authors
• First Published: First published in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 15(6): 1235
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License