Abuse, self-harm and suicidal ideation in the UK during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Eleonora Iob,Daisy Fancourt,Andrew Steptoe

doi:10.1192/bjp.2020.130

Abstract

This study explored patterns of abuse, self-harm and thoughts of suicide/self-harm in the UK during the first month of the COVID-19 pandemic using data from the COVID-19 Social Study (n=44 775), a non-probability sample weighted to population proportions. The reported frequency of abuse, self-harm and thoughts of suicide/self-harm was higher among women, Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) groups and people experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage, unemployment, disability, chronic physical illnesses, mental disorders and COVID-19 diagnosis. Psychiatric medications were the most common type of support being used, but fewer than half of those affected were accessing formal or informal support.

Highlights

We focused on any response that indicated any experience of self-harm or abuse on at least one occasion during the first month of lockdown
The patterning of thoughts and experiences of self-harm and abuse reported during lockdown mirrored usual demographic characteristics, including being higher among younger adults, women, and people experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage, unemployment, disability, chronic physical illnesses and mental disorders.[5,7,9]
The elevated prevalence of abuse and self-harm thoughts/ behaviours in people who had been diagnosed with COVID-19 could indicate a heightened psychological risk during infection, or increased risk of exposure due to either behavioural or occupational factors among individuals already self-harming

Summary

Methods

We used data from University College London’s (UCL’s) COVID-19 Social Study, a large longitudinal study on the psychological and social experiences of over 50 000 adults in the UK during the pandemic. The study began on 21 March 2020, involving online questionnaires completed by participants on a weekly basis. For this analysis, we focused on participants recruited between 21 March and 20 April 2020. From a total sample of 55 481 individuals, we included those who provided data on abuse, self-harm and thoughts of suicide or self-harm on at least one occasion (n = 44 775). Physical abuse was measured by asking participants if they had been ‘physically harmed or hurt by someone else’. Psychological abuse was measured by asking if participants had been ‘bullied, controlled, intimidated, or psychologically hurt by someone else’. We focused on any response that indicated any experience of self-harm or abuse on at least one occasion during the first month of lockdown

Results

Discussion

Conclusion