Global prevalence of self-harm during the COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Abstract Background COVID-19 and its transmission mitigation measures have caused widespread mental health problems. Previous studies have suggested that psychological, economic, behavioral, and psychosocial problems associated with the COVID-19 pandemic may lead to a rise in self-harm. However, lit...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2023-05-01
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| Series: | BMC Psychology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-023-01181-8 |
| _version_ | 1797831823201402880 |
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| author | Huan Cheng Di Wang Lu Wang Haiou Zou Yanhua Qu |
| author_facet | Huan Cheng Di Wang Lu Wang Haiou Zou Yanhua Qu |
| author_sort | Huan Cheng |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background COVID-19 and its transmission mitigation measures have caused widespread mental health problems. Previous studies have suggested that psychological, economic, behavioral, and psychosocial problems associated with the COVID-19 pandemic may lead to a rise in self-harm. However, little is known about the prevalence of self-harm worldwide during COVID-19. Therefore, a quantitative synthesis is needed to reach an overall conclusion regarding the prevalence of self-harm during the pandemic. Methods By using permutations of COVID-19, self-harm or relevant search terms, we searched the following electronic databases from November 2019 to January 2022: Web of Science, PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Database and systematically reviewed the evidence according to MOOSE guidelines. We employed Cochran’s chi-squared test (Cochran’s Q), I 2test and subgroup analysis to assess and address the heterogeneity. Sensitivity analysis was conducted by eliminating each included study individually and then combining the effects. Results Sixteen studies that met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were identified, with sample sizes ranging from 228 to 49,227. The methodological quality of the included studies was mostly at the medium level. By using a random effect model, the pooled prevalence of self-harm was 15.8% (95% CI 13.3–18.3). Based on subgroup analysis, the following characteristics of the included studies were more likely to have a higher prevalence of self-harm: studies conducted in Asia or prior to July 2020, cross-sectional studies, samples recruited in hospitals or schools, adolescents, females, the purpose of self-harm (NSSI), mental symptoms and restriction experiences. Conclusions We provided the first meta-analytic estimated prevalence of self-harm based on a large sample from different countries and populations. The prevalence of self-harm during COVID-19 was not encouraging and requires attention and intervention. Further high-quality and prospective research are needed in order to determine the prevalence of self-harm with greater accuracy because to the clear heterogeneity across the included studies. In addition, this study also provides new directions for future research, including the identification of high-risk groups for self-harm, the formulation and implementation of prevention and intervention programs, and the long-term impact of COVID-19 on self-harm. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-09T13:58:58Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-7a2fb0888f4f4658a4c795053c716d62 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2050-7283 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-09T13:58:58Z |
| publishDate | 2023-05-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Psychology |
| spelling | doaj.art-7a2fb0888f4f4658a4c795053c716d622023-05-07T11:27:34ZengBMCBMC Psychology2050-72832023-05-0111111510.1186/s40359-023-01181-8Global prevalence of self-harm during the COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic review and meta-analysisHuan Cheng0Di Wang1Lu Wang2Haiou Zou3Yanhua Qu4Department of Nursing, Peking University First HospitalSchool of Nursing, Anhui Medical UniversitySchool of Nursing, Anhui Medical UniversitySchool of Nursing, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical CollegeDepartment of Nursing, Beijing HuiLongGuan HospitalAbstract Background COVID-19 and its transmission mitigation measures have caused widespread mental health problems. Previous studies have suggested that psychological, economic, behavioral, and psychosocial problems associated with the COVID-19 pandemic may lead to a rise in self-harm. However, little is known about the prevalence of self-harm worldwide during COVID-19. Therefore, a quantitative synthesis is needed to reach an overall conclusion regarding the prevalence of self-harm during the pandemic. Methods By using permutations of COVID-19, self-harm or relevant search terms, we searched the following electronic databases from November 2019 to January 2022: Web of Science, PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Database and systematically reviewed the evidence according to MOOSE guidelines. We employed Cochran’s chi-squared test (Cochran’s Q), I 2test and subgroup analysis to assess and address the heterogeneity. Sensitivity analysis was conducted by eliminating each included study individually and then combining the effects. Results Sixteen studies that met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were identified, with sample sizes ranging from 228 to 49,227. The methodological quality of the included studies was mostly at the medium level. By using a random effect model, the pooled prevalence of self-harm was 15.8% (95% CI 13.3–18.3). Based on subgroup analysis, the following characteristics of the included studies were more likely to have a higher prevalence of self-harm: studies conducted in Asia or prior to July 2020, cross-sectional studies, samples recruited in hospitals or schools, adolescents, females, the purpose of self-harm (NSSI), mental symptoms and restriction experiences. Conclusions We provided the first meta-analytic estimated prevalence of self-harm based on a large sample from different countries and populations. The prevalence of self-harm during COVID-19 was not encouraging and requires attention and intervention. Further high-quality and prospective research are needed in order to determine the prevalence of self-harm with greater accuracy because to the clear heterogeneity across the included studies. In addition, this study also provides new directions for future research, including the identification of high-risk groups for self-harm, the formulation and implementation of prevention and intervention programs, and the long-term impact of COVID-19 on self-harm.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-023-01181-8MERS-CoVSARS-CoV-22019-nCoVSelf-harmPrevalenceSystematic review |
| spellingShingle | Huan Cheng Di Wang Lu Wang Haiou Zou Yanhua Qu Global prevalence of self-harm during the COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic review and meta-analysis BMC Psychology MERS-CoV SARS-CoV-2 2019-nCoV Self-harm Prevalence Systematic review |
| title | Global prevalence of self-harm during the COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_full | Global prevalence of self-harm during the COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_fullStr | Global prevalence of self-harm during the COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Global prevalence of self-harm during the COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_short | Global prevalence of self-harm during the COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_sort | global prevalence of self harm during the covid 19 pandemic a systematic review and meta analysis |
| topic | MERS-CoV SARS-CoV-2 2019-nCoV Self-harm Prevalence Systematic review |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-023-01181-8 |
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