Citation

Calvete E, Orue I, Aizpuru L, Brotherton H. Psicothema 2015; 27(3): 223-228.

Affiliation

Universidad de Deusto.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, Departamento de Psicología de la Universidad de Oviedo, Publisher Colegio Oficial de Psicológicas de Asturias)

DOI

10.7334/psicothema2014.262

PMID

26260928

Abstract

BACKGROUND: This study examined the prevalence, characteristics and functions of Non-suicidal Self-injury (NSSI) among Spanish adolescents.

METHOD: The sample consisted of 1,864 adolescents aged between 12 and 19 years (Mean Age = 15.32, SD = 1.97, 51.45% girls). The participants completed a modified version of the self-report scale Functional Assessment of Self-Mutilation (FASM; Lloyd, Kelley, & Hope, 1997) to assess rates and methods of NSSI used during the last 12 months. They also indicated the functions of NSSI.

RESULTS: NSSI behaviors are common among Spanish adolescents. More than half of the sample showed such behavior in the past year, and 32.2% had carried out severe NSSI behaviors. The functions of NSSI were examined by using confirmatory factor analyses.

RESULTS supported a hierarchical model consisting of two second-order factors: automatic reinforcement, which explained both positive and negative automatic reinforcement, and social reinforcement, which explained both positive and negative social reinforcement.

CONCLUSIONS: These dimensions are critical to understand the factors that maintain NSSI behavior and have implications for treatments.

Language: en