Earlier Intervention Is Needed For Children At Risk For Self Harm
Researchers tracked 1,059 participants between the ages of 8 and 9 up to ages 11 and 12. They assessed the children annually for four years but only asked about self-harm the last year. Predictors of future self-harm included symptoms of depression or anxiety, being the victim of bullying, and recent alcohol experimentation. By the last year, 3% of the children reported engaging in self-harm. The 11- and 12-year-olds who did self-harm were more likely to have few friends, display poor emotional control, show antisocial behaviors, carry a weapon, and be in mid to late puberty....