Self-harm is a significant global public health issue (Hawton et al., 2003). In England, an estimated 200,000 adolescents aged 12 to 17 engage in self-harm annually without clinical support, while approximately 21,000 seek medical treatment following incidents of self-harm (Geulayov et al., 2018; Morgan et al., 2017; Patalay & Gage, 2019). The rates of self-harm among adults with disabilities are higher (Khazem, 2018; Khurana et al., 2021), with mixed results for adolescents with disabilities (King et al., 2019; Tejera et al., 2019). This study aimed to enhance understanding of the prevalence and risk factors of self-harm in adolescents, with and without disabilities.
To conduct the study, researchers utilized data from the Millennium Cohort Study, a cohort of children born between 2000 and 2002 (Plewis et al., 2007). Participants were randomly selected via child benefit records, with data collected through interviews with parents and adolescents at ages 14 and 17. Disability was determined by affirmative responses to having physical or mental health conditions lasting over 12 months, with further distinctions made based on the level of disability.
The study revealed that adolescents with disabilities faced a significantly higher risk of self-harm and suicide attempts compared to their non-disabled peers, particularly among those with more limiting disabilities. Mental health and learning impairments were strongly associated with increased rates of self-harm. Other risk factors included being female, LGBTQ+, living in poverty, and reporting depression.
The study’s strengths include addressing a research gap on adolescents with disabilities using a nationally representative sample. However, limitations such as recall bias and the cross-sectional design warrant further longitudinal research on self-harm and disability among adolescents.
Implications for practice include the need for enhanced mental health screening and support in schools and communities, targeted anti-bullying programs, and tailored support for LGBTQ+ adolescents with disabilities. Future research should focus on longitudinal studies to better understand and address self-harm risks among this vulnerable population.
