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. 2025 Apr 16;3(3):506-515.
doi: 10.1016/j.jaacop.2025.04.002. eCollection 2025 Sep.

Deliberate Self-Harm Among Youth in the Child Welfare System

Mica Goulbourne  1 , Farah W Brink  1   2 , Xueting Xia  1 , Danielle L Steelesmith  1   2 , Donna Ruch  1   2 , Jeffrey A Bridge  1   2 , Charmaine B Lo  1 , Cynthia A Fontanella  1   2
Affiliations

Deliberate Self-Harm Among Youth in the Child Welfare System

Mica Goulbourne et al. JAACAP Open. .

Abstract

Objective: Youth in the child welfare system are at high-risk for self-harm and suicide attempts; yet little is known about factors associated with deliberate self-harm (DSH) following their initial child protective services (CPS) investigation. This study examined factors associated with DSH among youth in the child welfare system.

Method: A retrospective longitudinal cohort analysis was performed using merged data from Ohio Medicaid claims and the Statewide Automated Child Welfare Information Systems for youth ages 5 to 17 with their first CPS investigation between 2010 and 2020 (N = 104,700). Cox proportional hazards analyses were used to examine associations between demographic and clinical factors and DSH within 1 year of the first CPS investigation.

Results: During follow-up, 236 youths experienced a DSH claim. Adolescents (ages 13-17) were more likely to have DSH (odds ratio = 7.51, 99% CI: 5.10-11.06) than young children, with the greatest risk within 15 days of a CPS investigation. There was an increased hazard of DSH for adolescents (vs young children; hazard ratio [HR] = 7.20, 99% CI: 4.88-10.60); girls (vs boys; HR = 2.09, 99% CI: 1.45-3.02); and youth with prior DSH (HR = 26.37, 99% CI: 16.36-42.51), ADHD (HR = 2.59, 99% CI: 1.18-3.77), anxiety (HR = 3.71, 99% CI: 2.58-5.34), depression (HR = 7.38, 99% CI: 5.09-10.70), substance use disorder (HR = 2.66, 99% CI: 1.62-4.36), and thought disorders (HR = 7.14, 99% CI: 2.80-18.22).

Conclusion: Significant risk factors associated with DSH after the first CPS investigation were prior DSH, mental health disorders, female sex, and older youth. Risk of DSH was highest for adolescents in the first 2 weeks of a CPS investigation. Identification of risk factors and high-risk period can inform early intervention to decrease DSH.

Keywords: child welfare; children and adolescents; deliberate self-harm.

Plain language summary

This study highlights the risk of deliberate self-harm (DSH) among children aged 5 to 17 years involved in child welfare investigations by using data from Ohio Medicaid claims and the Statewide Automated Child Welfare Information Systems (SACWIS). Adolescents aged 13 to 17 years were 7.5 times more likely to harm themselves compared to younger children, particularly within the first two weeks of a Child Protective Services investigation. These findings emphasize the need for early identification of at-risk youth, prompt mental health screenings, and linkage to support services that can help reduce self-harm behaviors.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Cumulative Incidence of Deliberate Self-Harm for Young Children and Adolescents During the 365 Days Following a Child Protective Services Investigation
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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