A study conducted by the University of Oxford and Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has found that more than half of teenagers experiencing chronic pain have contemplated self-harm. Out of 77 young participants aged 12 to 18, 58% reported lifetime thoughts of self-harm, while 47% indicated they had engaged in self-harm behavior.
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The study identified perceived burdensomeness and feelings of hopelessness as significant factors linked to self-harm thoughts and actions. This research is notable as it is the first to directly assess self-harm in a UK pediatric chronic pain clinic, instead of within the broader adolescent population. Supported by Medical Research UK and Arthritis UK, participants were recruited from the Oxford Centre for Children and Young People in Pain, a specialized NHS pain service.
Data revealed that 27% of participants had considered self-harm in the two weeks prior to the survey, while 7% reported self-harming during that same period. The researchers emphasized that older teenagers in pain services may be particularly vulnerable, as self-harm rates tend to increase significantly in mid-adolescence.
Previous estimates suggest that 14-23% of teens in the general population have thought about self-harm at some point, with 5-16% engaging in such behavior over their lifetime. The increased rates observed in the study participants were associated with feelings of being a burden to others and a pervasive sense of hopelessness, alongside challenges in social interactions and attention difficulties due to pain. Interestingly, the severity of adolescents' pain and their physical limitations did not correlate with self-harm indicators.
Lead researcher Dr. Verena Hinze stressed the necessity of addressing psychological well-being for young patients at the onset of their treatment, advocating for routine assessments of emotional distress and the establishment of effective support pathways. Dr. Angela Hind, chief executive of Medical Research UK, highlighted the need for greater awareness regarding the mental health impacts of chronic pain on young individuals, calling for change in how the issue is addressed.
The Department of Health and Social Care acknowledged the study's findings as concerning and expressed commitment to ensuring mental health support is accessible for young people with chronic pain. This follows the government's recent announcement of 159 new NHS mental health facilities across England, supported by £343 million in funding, aimed at providing early intervention and support for young people in need.