Study reveals teen self-harm rate

by Dave Keating | August 27, 2008 at 03:06 am

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As concern over self-mutilation among Britain's teenagers mounts, a new study shows that across central Scotland, 14 percent of 15 and 16 year olds have engaged in the process.

A study has suggested that up to 14% of 15 and 16-year-olds across central Scotland have self-harmed.

Stirling University experts questioned 2,000 teenagers in 2006/07. A follow-up study of 500 of the youths six months later found that 6% had self-harmed.

The experts said self-harming was more prevalent than official figures suggested because less than a quarter of those affected had gone to hospital.

The findings will be presented at a conference on suicide in Glasgow.

The study found that teenagers who reported having concerns about their sexual orientation, a history of sexual abuse or those who knew a family member who had self-harmed were five times more likely to hurt themselves.