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Longitudinal Pathways for the Maintenance of Non-Suicidal Self-Injury in Adolescence: The Pernicious Blend of Depressive Symptoms and Self-Criticism

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Abstract

Background

Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a serious and alarming phenomenon during adolescence. There is a need for understanding the intrapersonal variables that might contribute to the maintenance of these self-injurious behaviors.

Objective

This study aims to concurrently compare intrapersonal variables between adolescents with and without a lifetime history of NSSI, and to longitudinally test whether NSSI over lifetime history predicts 6-months NSSI through self-criticism and depressive symptoms among Portuguese adolescents with a self-reported history of NSSI.

Methods

Adolescents (N = 418, 12–19 years-old) from middle and secondary schools completed self-report questionnaires to assess self-criticism (particularly, the most severe form: hated self), depressive symptoms, and the frequency of NSSI in two points in time over the 6-months interval.

Results

Adolescents who reported a lifetime history of NSSI tend to experience greater harsh and persecutory criticism towards themselves and elevated depressive symptoms than adolescents without a history of NSSI. Results from path analysis showed that lifetime NSSI predicts subsequent NSSI, and this association is mediated by self-hatred and depressive symptoms among adolescents with lifetime NSSI.

Conclusions

Findings suggest that NSSI is maintained through a sense of self-focused on hatred and disgust feelings and depressive symptoms.

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Acknowledgements

This research has been supported by the first author, Ana Xavier, Ph.D. Grant (Grant Number: SFRH/BD/77375/2011), sponsored by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) and the European Social Fund (POPH).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cognitive and Behavioral Center for Research and Intervention (CINEICC), Faculdade de Psicologia e Ciências da Educação, University of Coimbra, Rua do Colégio Novo, 3000-115, Coimbra, Portugal

    Ana Xavier, José Pinto-Gouveia, Marina Cunha & Alexandra Dinis

  2. Instituto Superior Miguel Torga, Coimbra, Portugal

    Marina Cunha

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  1. Ana Xavier
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  2. José Pinto-Gouveia
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  3. Marina Cunha
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  4. Alexandra Dinis
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Correspondence to Ana Xavier.

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Ana Xavier, José Pinto-Gouveia, Marina Cunha and Alexandra Dinis declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Xavier, A., Pinto-Gouveia, J., Cunha, M. et al. Longitudinal Pathways for the Maintenance of Non-Suicidal Self-Injury in Adolescence: The Pernicious Blend of Depressive Symptoms and Self-Criticism. Child Youth Care Forum 46, 841–856 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10566-017-9406-1

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