Deliberate Self-Harm (DSH): a Follow-Up Study of Irish Children

This study examined rates of repetition of deliberate self-harm behaviours among adolescents presenting to an accident & emergency department. Individuals coming to the department between 2000 & 2005 were invited to participate. Telephone interviews were used to collect data from 39 parents & 10 children. 1 in 5 females had made a repeat deliberate self-harm attempt & 1 in 10 had repeated more than once. Ongoing parental concern rather than clinical risk assessment at index episode predicted subsequent deliberate self-harm. (8 refs.)