Prevalence and clinical correlates of self-harm and suicidality during admission of children in a mental health inpatient unit
Abstract Background Self-harm and suicidality are common presentations in children and adolescents requiring a mental health inpatient admission. Although there are several studies on adolescents, there is relatively limited research into childhood self-harm and suicidality during such admissions....
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Cambridge University Press
2021-01-01
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| Series: | European Psychiatry |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S092493382000108X/type/journal_article |
| _version_ | 1811156399124643840 |
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| author | Eleftherios Kipoulas Azi Berzengi Marinos Kyriakopoulos |
| author_facet | Eleftherios Kipoulas Azi Berzengi Marinos Kyriakopoulos |
| author_sort | Eleftherios Kipoulas |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description |
Abstract
Background
Self-harm and suicidality are common presentations in children and adolescents requiring a mental health inpatient admission. Although there are several studies on adolescents, there is relatively limited research into childhood self-harm and suicidality during such admissions.
Methods
A retrospective electronic file review was conducted on all children discharged from a national mental health inpatient children’s unit over a 6-year period. Several independent variables were compared between self-harm/suicidal and non-self-harm/non-suicidal children. Separate analyses investigated changes in self-harm/suicidality, functional outcomes, and risk assessment ratings between admission and discharge.
Results
A total of 105 children were included in this study. During admission, 65.7% of them reported self-harm thoughts, 61% engaged in self-harm, 50.5% expressed suicidal thoughts, and 14.3% engaged in suicidal behavior. Thoughts and acts of self-harm were associated with previous self-harm, longer admissions, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Suicidality overlapped with self-harm and was strongly predicted by previous self-harm. The prevalence of self-harm and suicidal thoughts and acts significantly decreased during admission. Children in the non-self-harm group had marginally better functional outcomes upon discharge compared to those in the self-harm group. Children and parents/caregivers were similarly satisfied with treatment, irrespective of children’s self-harm/suicidality.
Conclusions
Self-harm and suicidality were widespread among children admitted to hospital. Better understanding of the mechanisms and factors related to self-harm and suicidality in this age group could help mitigate associated risks and improve existing safety strategies.
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| first_indexed | 2024-04-10T04:49:50Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d410358e953f4ede99ec04c52b2f8a7e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 0924-9338 1778-3585 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-10T04:49:50Z |
| publishDate | 2021-01-01 |
| publisher | Cambridge University Press |
| record_format | Article |
| series | European Psychiatry |
| spelling | doaj.art-d410358e953f4ede99ec04c52b2f8a7e2023-03-09T12:33:55ZengCambridge University PressEuropean Psychiatry0924-93381778-35852021-01-016410.1192/j.eurpsy.2020.108Prevalence and clinical correlates of self-harm and suicidality during admission of children in a mental health inpatient unitEleftherios Kipoulas0Azi Berzengi1Marinos Kyriakopoulos2https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4594-2646National and Specialist Acorn Lodge Inpatient Children’s Unit, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, South London and the Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, United KingdomCambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, United KingdomNational and Specialist Acorn Lodge Inpatient Children’s Unit, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, South London and the Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom Abstract Background Self-harm and suicidality are common presentations in children and adolescents requiring a mental health inpatient admission. Although there are several studies on adolescents, there is relatively limited research into childhood self-harm and suicidality during such admissions. Methods A retrospective electronic file review was conducted on all children discharged from a national mental health inpatient children’s unit over a 6-year period. Several independent variables were compared between self-harm/suicidal and non-self-harm/non-suicidal children. Separate analyses investigated changes in self-harm/suicidality, functional outcomes, and risk assessment ratings between admission and discharge. Results A total of 105 children were included in this study. During admission, 65.7% of them reported self-harm thoughts, 61% engaged in self-harm, 50.5% expressed suicidal thoughts, and 14.3% engaged in suicidal behavior. Thoughts and acts of self-harm were associated with previous self-harm, longer admissions, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Suicidality overlapped with self-harm and was strongly predicted by previous self-harm. The prevalence of self-harm and suicidal thoughts and acts significantly decreased during admission. Children in the non-self-harm group had marginally better functional outcomes upon discharge compared to those in the self-harm group. Children and parents/caregivers were similarly satisfied with treatment, irrespective of children’s self-harm/suicidality. Conclusions Self-harm and suicidality were widespread among children admitted to hospital. Better understanding of the mechanisms and factors related to self-harm and suicidality in this age group could help mitigate associated risks and improve existing safety strategies. https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S092493382000108X/type/journal_articleChildreninpatient admissionmental healthself-harmsuicidality |
| spellingShingle | Eleftherios Kipoulas Azi Berzengi Marinos Kyriakopoulos Prevalence and clinical correlates of self-harm and suicidality during admission of children in a mental health inpatient unit European Psychiatry Children inpatient admission mental health self-harm suicidality |
| title | Prevalence and clinical correlates of self-harm and suicidality during admission of children in a mental health inpatient unit |
| title_full | Prevalence and clinical correlates of self-harm and suicidality during admission of children in a mental health inpatient unit |
| title_fullStr | Prevalence and clinical correlates of self-harm and suicidality during admission of children in a mental health inpatient unit |
| title_full_unstemmed | Prevalence and clinical correlates of self-harm and suicidality during admission of children in a mental health inpatient unit |
| title_short | Prevalence and clinical correlates of self-harm and suicidality during admission of children in a mental health inpatient unit |
| title_sort | prevalence and clinical correlates of self harm and suicidality during admission of children in a mental health inpatient unit |
| topic | Children inpatient admission mental health self-harm suicidality |
| url | https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S092493382000108X/type/journal_article |
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