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Deliberate self-harm in Oxford University students, 1993–2005: a descriptive and case–control study

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Abstract

Background

Deliberate self-harm (DSH; intentional self-poisoning or self-injury) is a major problem among young people and has been identified as one of the key mental health problems affecting students.

Method

Data on DSH presentations to the general hospital in Oxford by Oxford University students were analysed for the 12-year period from 1993 to 2005. The characteristics of the students with DSH were compared with those of age-matched DSH controls in the Oxford City area.

Results

Problems with academic work, relationships with family, partners and friends were most likely to contribute to DSH episodes in students. Many experienced problems with psychiatric disorders and social isolation. The frequency of eating disorders was very high in students, and contributed to DSH significantly more often than in controls. Fewer students than controls self-poisoned in the DSH episode, fewer had personality disorder and fewer had problems with physical health, finance, housing and violence. Alcohol consumption in association with DSH and alcohol-related problems were common in both students and controls. Male students had significantly higher suicide intent than controls. Many students were referred to the university counselling service for follow-up, a resource not available to non-student controls.

Conclusions

Comparison of university students following DSH with age-matched controls has shown key differences in psychiatric characteristics, problems contributing to DSH and aftercare offered. These findings may help in the design of targeted self-harm prevention and management strategies for students.

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Acknowledgments

We thank the Townsend-Jeantet Prize Trust for funding this project, in memory of Hector Scott Russell. The Oxford Monitoring System for Attempted Suicide is supported by a grant from the Department of Health. We thank the staff of the Department of Psychological Medicine at the John Radcliffe Hospital for their continuing support of the monitoring system, and members of the psychiatric service for their assistance with data collection. We also thank Helen Bergen and Sue Simkin for their advice. The views expressed are solely those of the authors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Suicide Research, University Department of Psychiatry, Warneford Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7JX, UK

    Su Mahadevan, Keith Hawton & Deborah Casey

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  1. Su Mahadevan
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  2. Keith Hawton
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  3. Deborah Casey
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Correspondence to Keith Hawton.

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Mahadevan, S., Hawton, K. & Casey, D. Deliberate self-harm in Oxford University students, 1993–2005: a descriptive and case–control study. Soc Psychiat Epidemiol 45, 211–219 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-009-0057-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-009-0057-x

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