Self-Harm and its Link to Peer and Dating Violence among Adolescents in a High-Risk Urban Community

Associations between self-harm and peer and dating violence perpetration and victimization amongyouth in a high-risk community are examined. Cross-sectional logistic regression analyses are based on datafrom the Youth Violence Survey, conducted in 2004, and administered to over 80% of public school students ingrades 7, 9, 11, and 12 (N=4,131) in an urban school district. Findings show that 20.3% of students reportedengaging in self-harm during the previous 12 months. Moreover, self-harm was associated with peer violenceperpetration and victimization for both boys and girls, and also with dating violence perpetration among boysand girls. Future research and prevention programs should consider the developmental and behavioralcharacteristics of adolescents who engage in both self-harm and interpersonal violence.