Study reveals trend reversal as more men than women inflict self-harm

MORE men than woman inflict repeated, deliberate self-harm on themselves in a reversal of previous trends in such behaviour, research has revealed.

Dr Ella Arensman of the National Suicide Research Foundation said the research underlined the need to examine how effective treatment programmes are for men who repeatedly self-harm.

Dr Arensman was lead researcher in the study of deliberate self-harm in eight European regions, including Cork and Limerick, that will be presented today at a conference in Glasgow.

Researchers from the Network for International Collaboration on Evidence in Suicide Prevention collected data on more than 44,000 cases of self-harm in eight European regions between 1989 and 2003.

Dr Arensman said the gender pattern in relation to repeated self-harm had changed since the previous two decades when the rates were similar for men and women across Europe.

“I believe it is crucial that we look at how effective treatment programmes are for men because most studies up to now only involve women,” she said.

The research also revealed that a significant number of men and women who present at hospital emergency departments in Ireland with self-inflicted injuries are not being assessed.

The study found that six months after presenting at A&E, 16% of men and 12% of women in Ireland had not received an assessment.

“We know that a lot of people who self-harm continue to engage in this practice and are most at risk during the three months following a visit to hospital,” she said. “We also know that a lot of people who engage in self-harm also engage in self-cutting and what is also new is that there is no difference between men and women who engage in repeated self-cutting.”

Dr Arensman said the National Office for Suicide Prevention’s 10-year strategy, called Reach Out, recommended that a standard assessment procedure be introduced in hospitals for patients who self-harm.

“The recommendation is not yet implemented at national level and it should be, particularly in the light of these findings. We cannot afford to be complacent — assessments must be provided immediately a patient presents with a self-inflicted injury,” she said.

Other research discussed at the conference include a Stirling University-led study in which 700 teenagers aged 15 and 16 in central Scotland were questioned about self-harm. About 14% said that they had self-harmed.

It found that those who reported having concerns about sexual orientation, a history of sexual abuse or knew a family member who self-harmed, were more likely to act. Low self-esteem was also a factor.