Skip to main content
profile image
Selected Works of Dr John Ainley
Article
Self-harm : Prevalence estimates from the second Australian Child and Adolescent Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing
Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry (2015)
  • Stephen R Zubrick, University of Western Australia. Telethon Kids Institute
  • Jennifer Hafekost, University of Western Australia. Telethon Kids Institute
  • Sarah E Johnson, University of Western Australia. Telethon Kids Institute
  • David Lawrence, University of Western Australia. Telethon Kids Institute
  • Suzy Saw, Health Data Analysis Pty Ltd
  • Michael G Sawyer, University of Adelaide
  • John Ainley, ACER
  • William J Buckingham, Buckingham & Associates Pty Ltd
Link
Abstract
This study (1) estimates the lifetime and 12-month prevalence of self-harm without suicide intent in young people aged 12–17 years, (2) describes the co-morbidity of these behaviours with mental illness and (3) describes their co-variation with key social and demographic variables. A nationally representative random sample of households with children aged 4–17 years recruited in 2013–2014. The survey response rate was 55% with 6310 parents and carers of eligible households participating. In addition, 2967 (89%) of young people aged 11–17 completed a self-report questionnaire with 2653 of the 12- to 17-year-olds completing questions about self-harm behaviour. In any 12-month period, about 8% of all 12- to 17-year-olds (an estimated 137,000 12- to 17-year-olds) report engaging in self-harming behaviour without suicide intent. This prevalence increases with age to 11.6% in 16- to 17-year-olds. Eighteen percent (18.8%; 95% confidence interval [CI] = [14.5, 23.0]) of all 12- to 17-year-old young people with any mental health disorder measured by parent or carer report said that they had engaged in self-harm in the past 12 months. Among young people who were measured by self-report and met criteria for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders’ major depressive disorder almost half (46.6%; 95% CI = [40.0, 53.1]) also reported that they had engaged in self-harm in the past 12 months. Suicide risk among those who self-harm is significantly elevated relative to the general population. The demonstrated higher risks in these young people for continued harm or possible death support the need for ongoing initiatives to reduce self-harm through mental health promotion, improved mental health literacy and continuing mental health reform to ensure services are accessible to, and meet the needs of families and young persons.
Keywords
  • Self-harm,
  • Self-inflicted injury,
  • Mental health,
  • Children,
  • Adolescents,
  • Australia
Disciplines
Publication Date
November 30, 2015
DOI
10.1177/0004867415617837
Publisher Statement
Published online before print 30 November 2015
Citation Information
Stephen R Zubrick, Jennifer Hafekost, Sarah E Johnson, David Lawrence, et al.. "Self-harm : Prevalence estimates from the second Australian Child and Adolescent Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing" Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry (2015) ISSN: 0004-8674
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/john_ainley/182/