Link found between self-mutilation and risky sexual behavior

Teenagers who cut themselves are more likely than other teens to have unprotected sex according to a new study. The research, published in the journal Psychiatric Services, shows for the first time a link between self-mutilation and sexual risk.

Lead researcher Larry K. Brown, MD, of Bradley/Hasbro Children's Psychiatric Research Center says the findings are especially important for clinicians who are often the first to find that patients are harming themselves.

The study also found that self-cutters were more likely to be white, female and have a history of sexual abuse.

Brown says that nobody realized the relationship between self-cutting and sexual risk would be so strong. Currently it is thought that teens who do it do so to remove themselves from some traumatic experience such as sexual abuse.

Yet, the researchers found that self-mutilation is associated with risky sexual behaviors even when controlling for abuse factors.

"Our first thought was that the subjects cut themselves because of previous sexual abuse, but there's much more than that – there's some link between not being able to manage your feelings which leads you to cut yourself and also make it likely that you'll take sexual risks," Brown explained.

Brown believes that the behaviors are likely caused by an underlying psychological problem.

"Lack of self-restraint, or the inability to manage strong impulses and emotions may link self-cutting and sexual risk behaviors – in addition, self-cutters may have high rates of other risk behaviors such as suicide attempts, personality disorders or substance abuse."

The study participants were adolescents in intensive psychiatric treatment. Nearly half admitted to cutting themselves at least once. In the general population, the number is believed to be around 14% among teens and college students.

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