Nearly 30 per cent of surveyed SEN children have self-harmed, study finds
A survey by the Heep Hong Society and Hong Kong Baptist University found that 29 per cent of 100 children with special educational needs had self-harmed. Researchers said parents who proactively seek support with their children reduce the risk of self-harm, and a new app for parents is being trialle
A survey has found that nearly 30 per cent of children with special educational needs (SEN) who were surveyed had engaged in self-harming behaviour. The Heep Hong Society, together with the Department of Social Work at Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU), conducted the SEN Children Self-Harm Warning Signs Survey, gathering data from 100 SEN families. It found that 29 children had exhibited self-harming behaviour, with the most common form being hitting or slapping themselves, followed by biting themselves.
The researchers noted that some parents, when their children experience emotional distress, tend to immediately remove the child from the situation or avoid the source of stimulation. While these actions are often motivated by a desire to protect the child, the study indicated that if used long term they may negatively affect the child's ability to manage emotions. The research also found that the more willing parents are to proactively seek support together with their child, the lower the risk of the child engaging in self-harm.
Analysis showed that the higher the parents' sense of well-being, the better the quality of life for their children. In turn, a higher quality of life for the child helped reduce self-harming behaviour. Separately, HKBU has received funding from the Health Bureau's Medical Health Research Fund to develop a mobile application called 'Journey with Sunny' specifically for parents of SEN children.
The app addresses seven common negative emotions faced by parents and provides professional psychological education, coping strategies and relaxation exercises. It includes daily mood recording, physiological state tracking and reminder functions, as well as mental health information, to help parents build more effective emotional regulation skills. The app is now in the research phase, with a study set to begin in early November.
The programme plans to recruit 90 parents of SEN children to trial the app first, collecting feedback for improvements. It is expected to be officially launched early next year.