Life Stress is Linked with Greater Risk for Self-harm
Although self-harm is a problem for people of all walks of life, certain factors are linked with greater stress, and therefore may increase the chances of self-harm. For instance, people from low-income families, who are divorced, live alone, or who lack social support may be more at risk for self-harm (Meltzer et al., 2002).
Other stressful and traumatic life events may increase the chance that people use self-harm. For example, people who have suffered abuse, especially sexual abuse, may be more likely to self-harm (Hawton et al., 2002). More immediate stressors, such as conflict in relationships, may trigger self-harm as well. Chronic or acute physical illness also appears to increase risk for self-harm (De Leo et al., 1999).
