The aim of this research was to identify risk factors
for self-harm amongst the total population of children
and adolescents admitted to an in-patient psychiatric
hospital over a five-year period. A retrospective audit of
patient records (N = 212) covering 2010 to 2014 (both years
included) showed that approximately 38% of all children
and adolescents who were in-patients at the psychiatric
hospital during the study period harmed themselves prior
to admission. Male gender was found to be associated
with self-harm. Results also suggested that family factors,
specifically living with a single parent, significantly added
to the risk of self-harm amongst the study population.
Although the findings revealed that being male and hailing
from a single-parent family are significant risk factors for
self-harm in Maltese children and adolescents, this study
did not establish why this is the case, therefore suggesting
the need for further research. A prospective, longitudinal
design would assess predictors of self-harm more clearly.
Furthermore, self-reports would increase accuracy and
reduce third-party reporter bias, while permitting more indepth
exploration of the risk factors involved in child and
adolescent deliberate self-harm.peer-reviewe
