• DOI:10.1097/DBP.0b013e318173a587
• Corpus ID: 20770028

Frequency of Adolescent Self-Cutting as a Predictor of HIV Risk

@article{Brown2008FrequencyOA,
  title={Frequency of Adolescent Self-Cutting as a Predictor of HIV Risk},
  author={Larry K. Brown and Christopher D. Houck and Cynthia I. Grossman and Celia M. Lescano and Jennifer L Frenkel},
  journal={Journal of Developmental \& Behavioral Pediatrics},
  year={2008},
  volume={29},
  pages={161-165}
}

• L. Brown, C. Houck, +2 authors Jennifer L Frenkel
• Published 1 June 2008
• Psychology
• Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics

Objective: A wide range exists in the frequency of adolescent self-cutting behavior; however, the implications of this variability are relatively unexplored. Although evidence suggesting a relationship between self-harm and sexual risk behaviors has been identified, little is known regarding the relationship between frequency of self-cutting and sexual risk. The present study aimed to test the hypothesis that adolescents who repeatedly self-cut would report more HIV risk behaviors and riskier attitudes than those who had engaged in infrequent self-injury. Method: Adolescents (11–18 years; mean age, 15 years) from intensive psychiatric treatment programs with a history of self-cutting (N = 105, 53% female) completed measures of self-cutting, sexual risk behaviors, and risk attitudes. Results: Frequent self-cutting (more than three times, lifetime) was associated with being sexually active, using condoms inconsistently, and sharing cutting instruments. Frequent self-cutters were significantly more likely to be female and nonwhite, and report low self-restraint. They also showed a trend toward being more likely to have a history of sexual abuse. Conclusions: This study found important differences in self-cutters based on frequency of cutting. Adolescent self-cutting may be a spectrum of behavior that ranges from habitual, repeated behavior contrasted with infrequent, experimental, socially motivated cutting. The associations between frequent cutting, sexual risk, and low self-restraint suggest that common underlying mechanisms may determine these patterns.