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Study: Over Half of Teens with Chronic Pain Consider Self-Harm
30 Sep
Summary
- 58% of surveyed teens with chronic pain reported self-harm thoughts.
- Perceived burdensomeness and hopelessness strongly linked to self-harm.
- Rates of self-harm thoughts and behaviors rise in mid-adolescence.
New research from the University of Oxford indicates that a majority of teenagers grappling with chronic pain have contemplated self-harm. The study, conducted at a UK paediatric chronic pain clinic, found that 58% of surveyed young individuals aged 12 to 18 reported lifetime thoughts of self-harm, with 47% having engaged in self-harm behavior.
Factors such as perceived burdensomeness and hopelessness were identified as significant contributors to these self-harm thoughts and actions. The findings highlight that older teenagers attending pain services may be particularly vulnerable, as the rates of self-harm concerns increased notably during mid-adolescence.
This groundbreaking research, supported by Medical Research UK and Arthritis UK, is the first to directly investigate self-harm within a UK clinical setting for pediatric chronic pain. It differentiates itself from previous studies on the general adolescent population, offering crucial insights into this specific vulnerable group.
