Study shows high rates of self-harm
15th October 2012
Some 339 of 4160 ACT residents aged 20–24 and 40–44, drawn from the electoral roll, reported self-harm in the previous year, including cutting (1%), overdose (0.6%), self-battery or head banging (6.5%) and self-denying a necessity such as food (2%).
Researchers found that several forms of substance use – smoking, marijuana use and drinking alcohol ‘at a level likely to cause dependence’ – were independently predictive of self-harm.
The largest predictor was sexual abuse by a parent. Other independent predictors included bisexual orientation, younger age, male gender, financial