Prevalence of non-suicidal self-harm and service contact in England, 2000–14

Repeated cross-sectional surveys of the general population

Dados Bibliográficos

ID23337461
AutoresShea Mcmanu (0000-0003-2711-0819, NatCen Social Research, autor correspondente), Sally McManus, David Gunnell (0000-0002-0829-6470, University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust), Claudia Cooper (0000-0002-2777-7616, University College London), Paul E Bebbington, Paul Bebbington (0000-0002-6030-7456, University College London), Louise M Howard (0000-0001-9942-744X, King's College London), Traolach Brugha (0000-0002-9786-9591, University of Leicester), Robin Jenkins (0000-0002-2958-0331, King's College London), Rachel Jenkins, Angela Hassiotis (0000-0002-9800-3909, University College London), Weich (0000-0002-7552-7697, University of Sheffield), Scott Weich, Louis Appleby (0000-0002-0806-9411, University of Manchester)
Ano2019
Volume6
Fascículo7
Páginas573-581
Data de publicação2019-07-01
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoThe Lancet Psychiatry (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 2215-0366 • E-ISSN: 2215-0374
EditoraElsevier BV (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1016/s2215-0366(19)30188-9
PMID31175059
OpenAlexW2948102438
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas71
Referências citadas22

BACKGROUND: The number of people presenting to hospital emergency departments after self-harming has increased in England. However, most people who self-harm do not present to hospitals, so whether this rise reflects an increase in the prevalence of self-harm in the community is unknown. Also unknown is whether the prevalence of non-suicidal self-harm (NSSH) or suicidal self-harm, or both, has increased. We aimed to establish temporal trends in the prevalence of NSSH in England. METHODS: We analysed data from participants in the 2000 (n=7243), 2007 (n=6444), and 2014 (n=6477) Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Surveys of the general population, selecting those aged 16-74 years and living in England. We used weighted data and controlled for complex survey design. We generated temporal trends in lifetime prevalence and methods of, and motivations for, NSSH, and consequent service contact. We used multiple variable logistic regression analyses to investigate factors associated with service contact. FINDINGS: The prevalence of self-reported lifetime NSSH increased from 2·4% (95% CI 2·0-2·8) in 2000, to 6·4% (5·8-7·2) in 2014. Increases in prevalence were noted in both sexes and across age groups-most notably in women and girls aged 16-24 years, in whom prevalence increased from 6·5% (4·2-10·0) in 2000, to 19·7% (15·7-24·5) in 2014. The proportion of the population reporting NSSH to relieve unpleasant feelings of anger, tension, anxiety, or depression increased from 1·4% (95% CI 1·0-2·0) to 4·0% (3·2-5·0) in men and boys, and from 2·1% (1·6-2·7) to 6·8% (6·0-7·8) in women and girls, between 2000 and 2014. In 2014, 59·4% (95% CI 54·7-63·9) of participants who had engaged in NSSH reported no consequent medical or psychological service contact, compared with 51·2% (42·2-60·0) in 2000 and 51·8% (47·3-56·4) in 2007. Male participants and those aged 16-34 years were less likely to have contact with health services than were female participants and older people. INTERPRETATION: The prevalence of NSSH has increased in England, but resultant service contact remains low. In 2014, about one in five female 16-24-year-olds reported NSSH. There are potential lifelong implications of NSSH, such as an increased frequency of suicide, especially if the behaviours are adopted as a long-term coping strategy. Self-harm needs to be discussed with young people without normalising it. Young people should be offered help by primary care, educational, and other services to find safer ways to deal with emotional stress. FUNDING: NHS Digital, English Department of Health and Social Care, and the National Institute for Health Research.

Anxiety · Cross-sectional study · Depression (economics) · Environmental health · Harm · Logistic regression · Poison control · Population · Psychiatry · Suicidal ideation · Suicide prevention · COVID-19 and Mental Health · Demography · Medicine · Mental Health Treatment and Access · Psychology · Social Psychology · Suicide and Self-Harm Studies