Wilson, C. (1999). Ethnicity and deliberate self-injury: A review of the literature. In Robertson, N. (Ed). Māori and psychology: Research and practice. Proceedings of a symposium sponsored by the Māori & Psychology Research Unit, Department of Psychology, University of Waikato, Hamilton, Thursday 26th August 1999 (pp.37-46). Hamilton, New Zealand: Māori and Psychology Research Unit, University of Waikato.
Abstract
Deliberate self-injury is a significant social problem affecting youth in New Zealand. Rates of
hospitalisation for youth (aged 15 to 19) from deliberate self-injury approximate 225 per
100,000. It appears that the rates for Maori and women are significantly higher. From 1987 to
1993, an average of 488 Maori women per 100 000 population have been hospitalised each
year (Ministry of Health: Manatu Hauora, 1996). This paper draws upon both local and
international literature to examine factors underlying this ethnic disparity.
There is a wealth of literature examining risk factors underlying suicidal behaviour as a whole.
Deliberate self-injury is usually assumed to be an adjunct of youth suicide; prevention
strategies are conflated. This paper argues that this assumption is untenable, and in particular,
that prevention strategies designed for youth suicide are problematic in terms of deliberate selfinjury.
While prevention strategies are based upon studies that do not differentiate between
these groups, results will be compromised.
Publisher
Maori and Psychology Research Unit, University of Waikato
