Most Self-Harm Behavior During Adolescence Stops During Young Adulthood

Self-reported self-harm behavior diminishes with age, beginning in late adolescence.

Self-harm behavior, including intentional cutting and toxic ingestion, is reported by about 10% of teenagers in developed countries, but little is known about the natural history of self-harm that begins in adolescence. Researchers analyzed questionnaire and interview data about self-harm from a community-based random sample of 1802 adolescents in Australia who were surveyed repeatedly through age 29 years.

During the adolescent phase (ages 14–19 years), 8.0% of adolescents reported self-harm (cutting or burning, 4.6%; poison or overdose, 1.9%; self-battery, 1.7%; nonrecreational risk taking, 1.7%). Ten percent of girls and 6% of boys reported self-harm. During the adult phase (ages 20–29 years), reports of self-harm reduced significantly to…

Reviewing Author

Martin T. Stein, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardPearson Neuroscience Advisory Board

Speaker’s bureauAmerican Academy of Pediatrics

RoyaltiesElsevier, Inc.

Editorial boardsJournal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics

Martin T. Stein, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardPearson Neuroscience Advisory Board

Speaker’s bureauAmerican Academy of Pediatrics

RoyaltiesElsevier, Inc.

Editorial boardsJournal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics