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Ethnicity and adolescent deliberate self-harm
1Belgrave Department of Child Psychiatry, King's College Hospital, Denmark Hill, London, SE5 9RS, U.K.
Journal of Adolescence
|December 1, 1996
Summary
This study compared Black and White adolescents experiencing deliberate self-harm (DSH). While referral rates and characteristics were similar, Black adolescents reported higher social stress.
Area of Science:
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- Public Health
- Sociology
Background:
- Deliberate self-harm (DSH) is a significant concern in adolescent mental health.
- Understanding demographic-specific factors in DSH is crucial for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the characteristics of Black and White adolescents referred for DSH.
- To identify factors associated with DSH specifically in Black adolescents.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study of 100 adolescents referred to a tertiary hospital psychiatric service over 3 years.
- Comparison of socio-demographic variables, psychiatric symptoms, attempt circumstances, and outcomes between Black and White adolescents.
- Analysis of referral rates relative to community demographics.
Main Results:
- Referral rates for Black adolescents were proportional to their community representation.
- No significant differences were found in background, symptoms, attempt circumstances, or outcomes between racial groups.
- Black adolescents reported a higher prevalence of social stress compared to White adolescents.
Conclusions:
- DSH in adolescents appears to affect Black and White youth similarly across most assessed domains.
- Elevated social stress may be a key factor contributing to DSH in Black adolescents.
- Further research into social determinants of DSH is warranted.