Why adolescents begin and stop nonsuicidal self-injury? A one-year follow-up study.

Abstract

This study examined risk and protective factors for nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) among a large sample of Chinese community adolescents at two waves over a one-year follow-up period. We predicted the initiation and stop of NSSI by changes in various NSSI correlates in 4,782 school adolescents. Participants completed questionnaires assessing NSSI, emotional vulnerability, family invalidation, depressive symptoms, BPD features, unstable relationship, unstable sense of self, unstable mood, and behavioral impulsivity. Results showed that increases in depressive symptoms, unstable relationship, and behavioral impulsivity put adolescents at a significantly higher risk for future engagement in NSSI. On the other hand, decreases in depressive symptoms, hedonic impulsive behaviors and impulsive substance use made adolescents less likely to continue NSSI. This study indicated the importance of distinguishing risk factors from protective factors for NSSI among adolescents.