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Nonsuicidal self-injury is common in adolescents and young adults, but rates among children younger than 11 years are not known. Investigators examined self-injury behaviors in children aged 7 to 16 years by interviewing a community sample of 665 third-, sixth-and ninth-graders who were recruited from participating school districts (60% participation rate). Children were evaluated with the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) and the structured Self Injurious Thoughts and Behavior Interview (SITBI).
About one third of the youth were in each grade; 55% were female, 62% were white, and the median family income was US$86,500. A lifetime history of self-injury was reported by 9% of girls (7%, 2%, and 19% in third, sixth, and ninth grade, respec…