Childhood adversity, pubertal timing and self-harm: a longitudinal cohort study

Abigail Emma Russell*, Carol J Joinson, Elystan Roberts, Jon Heron, Tamsin Ford, David Gunnell, Paul Moran, Caroline Relton, Matthew Suderman, Becky Mars

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticle (Academic Journal)peer-review

4 Citations (Scopus)
241 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Background: The occurrence of early childhood adversity is strongly linked to later self-harm, but there is poor understanding of how this distal risk factor might influence later behaviours. One possible mechanism is through an earlier onset of puberty in children exposed to adversity, since early puberty is associated with an increased risk of adolescent self-harm. We investigated whether early pubertal timing mediates the association between childhood adversity and later self-harm.

Methods: Participants were 6698 young people from a UK population-based birth cohort (ALSPAC). We measured exposure to nine types of adversity from 0-9 years old, and self-harm when participants were aged 16 and 21 years. Pubertal timing measures were age at peak height velocity (aPHV-males and females) and age at menarche (AAM). We used generalised structural equation
modelling for analyses.

Results: For every additional type of adversity; participants had an average 12-14% increased risk of self-harm by 16. Relative Risk estimates were stronger for direct effects when outcomes were self-harm with suicidal intent. There was no evidence that earlier pubertal timing mediated the association between adversity and self-harm (indirect effect RR 1.00, 95% CI 1.00, 1.00 for aPHV and RR 1.00 95% CI 1.00, 1.01 for AAM).

Conclusions: A cumulative measure of exposure to multiple types of adversity does not confer an increased risk of self-harm via early pubertal timing, however both childhood adversity and early puberty are risk factors for later self harm. Research identifying mechanisms underlying the link between childhood adversity and later self-harm is needed to inform interventions.
Original languageEnglish
Number of pages9
JournalPsychological Medicine
Early online date8 Mar 2021
DOIs
Publication statusE-pub ahead of print - 8 Mar 2021

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 The Author(s). Published by Cambridge University Press.

Research Groups and Themes

  • SASH

Keywords

  • ACEs
  • adversity
  • ALSPAC
  • mediation
  • menarche
  • peak height velocity
  • puberty
  • self-harm
  • suicide attempt

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