What does this research mean for the field?

By age 13, 20% of adolescents in a multi-ethnic Asian population have repeatedly self-harmed, a behavior strongly associated with suicidal ideation, depression, and peer exposure to self-harm, with no significant sex differences. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To investigate the prevalence and psychosocial correlates of self-harm in a multi-ethnic Asian birth cohort at 13 years of age.

September 3, 2026Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental HealthOpen Access

Early adolescent self-harm: examining prevalence and risk factors in a multi-ethnic Asian birth cohort

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Authors

JRJohanna E.M. Ruess GTGermaine Y. Q. Tng YCYap Seng Chong

Discussion

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Overview

Cohort study reveals high self-harm prevalence in thirteen-year-olds, indicating depression and social exposure as vital intervention targets.

Key Points

To investigate the prevalence and psychosocial correlates of self-harm in a multi-ethnic Asian birth cohort at 13 years of age.
Assessed 666 participants at age 13 within the Growing Up in Singapore Towards healthy Outcomes (GUSTO) birth cohort in Singapore.
Measured self-harm history and peer exposure using the Risk-taking and Self-harm Inventory for Adolescents alongside prospective assessments via the Child Behaviour Checklist, Children’s Depression Inventory, and Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children.
Evaluated associations between psychosocial risk factors and adolescent self-harm using logistic regression models.
By age 13, 20% of participants had engaged in repeated self-harm.
Self-harm was strongly associated with suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, elevated depression scores, and exposure to peers' self-harm behaviours in logistic regression analyses.
No significant sex differences in self-harm prevalence were observed within the cohort.

Cite This Study

Ruess et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a993487636c6408cfa7c415 https://doi.org/10.1186/s13034-026-01167-5

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September 3, 2026Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental HealthOpen Access

Early adolescent self-harm: examining prevalence and risk factors in a multi-ethnic Asian birth cohort

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Authors

JRJohanna E.M. Ruess GTGermaine Y. Q. Tng YCYap Seng Chong

Discussion

Member takes

Overview

Cohort study reveals high self-harm prevalence in thirteen-year-olds, indicating depression and social exposure as vital intervention targets.

Key Points

To investigate the prevalence and psychosocial correlates of self-harm in a multi-ethnic Asian birth cohort at 13 years of age.
Assessed 666 participants at age 13 within the Growing Up in Singapore Towards healthy Outcomes (GUSTO) birth cohort in Singapore.
Measured self-harm history and peer exposure using the Risk-taking and Self-harm Inventory for Adolescents alongside prospective assessments via the Child Behaviour Checklist, Children’s Depression Inventory, and Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children.
Evaluated associations between psychosocial risk factors and adolescent self-harm using logistic regression models.
By age 13, 20% of participants had engaged in repeated self-harm.
Self-harm was strongly associated with suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, elevated depression scores, and exposure to peers' self-harm behaviours in logistic regression analyses.
No significant sex differences in self-harm prevalence were observed within the cohort.

Cite This Study

Ruess et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a993487636c6408cfa7c415 https://doi.org/10.1186/s13034-026-01167-5

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