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Self-Harm Among 17-Year-Old Adolescents With/Without Disabilities in the United Kingdom

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  • Eric Emerson
  • Zoe Aitken
  • Joanne Arciuli
  • Tania King
  • Gwynnyth Llewellyn
  • Anne Kavanagh
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<mark>Journal publication date</mark>30/09/2024
<mark>Journal</mark>Crisis
Issue number5
Volume45
Publication StatusPublished
Early online date15/03/24
<mark>Original language</mark>English

Abstract

Self-harm is a critical public health issue for adolescents/young adults. To estimate the prevalence of self-harm among adolescents with/without disabilities in the United Kingdom. Secondary analysis of data collected at age 17 in the UK's Millennium Cohort Study. Prevalence of self-harm was significantly greater among adolescents with disabilities for suicide attempts and six forms of self-harming behaviors. The lifetime prevalence of suicide attempts was 5.3% (4.5-6.3) among adolescents without disabilities, 21.9% (18.2-26.2) among adolescents with less limiting disabilities, and 25.5% (17.2-35.9) among adolescents with more limiting disabilities. Adjusted prevalence rate ratios ranged from 5.13 (3.58-7.36) for those with mental health limitations to 1.48 (0.65-3.35) for those with mobility limitations. Similar patterns were observed for the 12-month prevalence of six self-harming behaviors. Further studies are needed to identify potential mediators of the association between disability and self-harm that are potentially modifiable. Adolescents with disabilities are at markedly greater probability of suicide attempts and self-harming behaviors than their peers.