Prevalence, Course, Incidence, and 1-Year Prediction of Deliberate Self-Harm and Suicide Attempts in Early Norwegian School Adolescents

In this study of early Norwegian school adolescents, the prevalence, course, & incidence of self-harm behavior with or without suicide intent were examined, in addition to predictors of self-harm for a 1-year follow-up period. Lifetime prevalence rates of self-harm without suicide intent & suicide attempts were 2.9% & 3.0% respectively, while 1-year incidence rates were 3.6% & 1.7% respectively. In multivariate analysis, 5 predictors signficantly differentiated self-harmers from non-self-harming adolescents. Early school adolescents having frequent or intense suicide ideation over an extended period of time & attempting self-harm repeatedly with or without suicide intent should be identified & offered treatment. (41 refs.)