Adolescent self‐harm and risk factors

Abstract Objective This study aims to define the characteristics of adolescents who have engaged in self‐harm behavior and ascertain the risk factors. Methods From January 2013 to January 2014, 4,176 adolescents from senior middle schools in Linyi, China, were administered four questionnaire surveys to ascertain the following: incidence of self‐harm behavior regarding the frequency of different self‐harm behaviors by group (never/one to five times/greater than five times in the last 6 months) and then comparing the self‐harm behavior of the different subgroups; symptom self‐check, comparing the differences between the adolescents with self‐harm behavior and without in nine subscales (somatization, obsessive‐compulsive symptoms, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, anxiety, hostility, fear, paranoid, and psychosis); Adolescent Self‐Rating Life Events Check List scores; and Egna Minnenav Barndoms Uppfostran (EMBU) scores. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the risk factors of self‐harm in adolescents. Results The incidence of adolescent self‐harm was 27.60%; the occurrence of adolescent self‐harm was closely related to their mental health status, stressful life events, and EMBU. Being female, an urban student, or an only child; having poor school performance or experiences of stressful life events, harsh parenting styles, or excessive interference; and poor mental health were the risk factors for adolescent self‐harm. Conclusions The incidence of adolescent self‐harm was high, and their mental health status, stressful life events, and EMBU affected the occurrence of adolescent self‐harm, which is an issue that needs greater attention.