Arensman, Ella and Larkin, Celine and Corcoran, Paul and Reulbach, Udo and Perry, Ivan J (2014) Factors associated with self-cutting as a method of self-harm: findings from the Irish National Registry of Deliberate Self-Harm. European Journal of Public Health, 24, (2), pp. 292-297. https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckt087.
External website: https://academic.oup.com/eurpub/article/24/2/292/4...
BACKGROUND: Research suggests that patients presenting to hospital with self-cutting differ from those with intentional overdose in demographic and clinical characteristics. However, large-scale national studies comparing self-cutting patients with those using other self-harm methods are lacking. We aimed to compare hospital-treated self-cutting and intentional overdose, to examine the role of gender in moderating these differences, and examine the characteristics and outcomes of those patients presenting with combined self-cutting and overdose.
METHODS: Between 2003 and 2010, the Irish National Registry of Deliberate Self-Harm recorded 42,585 self-harm presentations to Irish hospital emergency departments meeting the study inclusion criteria. Data were obtained on demographic and clinical characteristics by independent data registration officers.
RESULTS: Compared with overdose only, involvement of self-cutting (with or without overdose) was significantly more common in males than females, with an overrepresentation of males aged <35 years. Independent of gender, involvement of self-cutting (with or without overdose) was significantly associated with younger age, city residence, repetition within 30 days and repetition within a year (females only). Factors associated with self-cutting as the sole method were no fixed abode/living in an institution, presenting outside 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., not consuming alcohol and repetition between 31 days and 1 year (males only).
CONCLUSION: The demographic and clinical differences between self-harm patients underline the presence of different subgroups with implications for service provision and prevention of repeated self-harm. Given the relationship between self-cutting and subsequent repetition, service providers need to ensure that adequate follow-up arrangements and supports are in place for the patient.
B Substances > Substances in general
F Concepts in psychology > Behaviour > Risk-taking behaviour
F Concepts in psychology > Behaviour > Self-destructive behaviour / self-harm
G Health and disease > Substance use disorder (addiction) > Alcohol use disorder
G Health and disease > Substance use disorder (addiction) > Drug use disorder
G Health and disease > Substance use disorder (addiction) > Drug use disorder > Drug intoxication > Poisoning (overdose)
J Health care, prevention, harm reduction and treatment > Risk and protective factors > Risk factors
VA Geographic area > Europe > Ireland
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