Suicide attempts and non-suicidal self-harm: national prevalence study of young adults.
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ABSTRACT: Background
There are few prevalence studies of suicide attempts and non-suicidal self-harm (NSSH).Aims
We aimed to estimate the prevalence of thoughts of NSSH, suicidal thoughts, NSSH and suicide attempts among 18- to 34-year-olds in Scotland.Method
We interviewed a representative sample of young adults from across Scotland.Results
We interviewed 3508 young people; 11.3 and 16.2% reported a lifetime history of suicide attempts and NSSH, respectively. The first episode of NSSH tended to precede the first suicide attempt by about 2 years. Age at onset of NSSH and suicide attempt was younger in females. Earlier age at onset was associated with more frequent NSSH/suicide attempts. Women are significantly more likely to report NSSH and suicide attempts compared with men.Conclusions
One in nine young people has attempted suicide and one in six has engaged in NSSH. Clinicians should be vigilant, as suicide attempts and NSSH are relatively common.Declaration of interest
None.
SUBMITTER: O'Connor RC
PROVIDER: S-EPMC6003254 | biostudies-literature | 2018
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Publications
Suicide attempts and non-suicidal self-harm: national prevalence study of young adults.
O'Connor Rory C RC Wetherall Karen K Cleare Seonaid S Eschle Sarah S Drummond Julie J Ferguson Eamonn E O'Connor Daryl B DB O'Carroll Ronan E RE
BJPsych open 20180509 3
<h4>Background</h4>There are few prevalence studies of suicide attempts and non-suicidal self-harm (NSSH).<h4>Aims</h4>We aimed to estimate the prevalence of thoughts of NSSH, suicidal thoughts, NSSH and suicide attempts among 18- to 34-year-olds in Scotland.<h4>Method</h4>We interviewed a representative sample of young adults from across Scotland.<h4>Results</h4>We interviewed 3508 young people; 11.3 and 16.2% reported a lifetime history of suicide attempts and NSSH, respectively. The first epi ...[more]
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