Exploring gender differences in risk factors for self-harm in adolescents using data from the Millennium Cohort Study

Area of Science:

• Adolescent health
• Psychiatry
• Public health

Background:

• Self-harm is prevalent in adolescents, with higher rates reported in females.
• Gender disparities in self-harm may stem from differing exposures to risk/protective factors and interpersonal dynamics.
• Understanding these gender differences is crucial for targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate gender-specific risk factors for self-harm in adolescents.
• To identify psychological and social factors contributing to gender differences in self-harm.
• To lay the groundwork for gender-sensitive self-harm management strategies.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of data from 11,196 adolescents in the Millennium Cohort Study (age 14).
• Examination of gender differences in psychosocial risk factors (family/peer relations, wellbeing, bullying).
• Utilized modified Poisson regression for gender-specific risk estimation.

Main Results:

• Self-harm prevalence was 15.4% at age 14, with a 2.6:1 female-to-male ratio.
• Psychosocial risk factors explained one-third of the gender gap in self-harm.
• Intense social media use and not confiding in family were linked to higher self-harm risk in girls.
• Bullying others and same-sex attraction were more strongly associated with self-harm in boys.

Conclusions:

• Findings highlight the need for gender-specific approaches to adolescent self-harm.
• Further research into adolescent experiences is essential to understand and address gender disparities.
• Developing tailored interventions based on gendered risk factors is recommended.