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Deliberate self-harm by Taiwanese adolescents
Mei Hua Tsai1, Yi Hua Chen, Chih Dao Chen
1Department of Family Medicine, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, Panchiao, Taipei, Taiwan.
Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)
|May 18, 2011
Summary
Deliberate self-harm (DSH) is prevalent in Taiwanese adolescents. Female gender, sexual abuse history, running away from school, and suicidal attempts are significant risk factors for DSH.
Area of Science:
- Adolescent Health
- Psychiatry
- Public Health
Background:
- Deliberate self-harm (DSH) rates are notably high among Taiwanese high school students.
- The experiential avoidance model posits that self-mutilation serves as an escape from distressing emotions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the demographic, health, and behavioral factors associated with DSH in Taiwanese adolescents.
- To identify correlates of DSH in a population with a known high prevalence.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional survey utilizing a structured, self-administered questionnaire.
- Data collected from 742 vocational high school students in Taiwan.
Main Results:
- 11.3% of students reported engaging in DSH.
- Female students were 3.47 times more likely to report DSH compared to males.
- Significant associations were found between DSH and running away from school (OR=3.45), suicide attempt (OR=13.05), headache history (OR=8.96), sexual abuse history (OR=4.26), and drinking (OR=4.12).
Conclusions:
- Key factors linked to DSH in Taiwanese adolescents include gender, history of headaches, sexual abuse, drinking, running away from school, and suicidal attempts.
- School personnel require awareness of these factors for effective intervention strategies.
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