Citation

Gao Y, Liu J, Liu X, Wang Y, Qiu S. Child Abuse Negl. 2024; 152: e106804.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2024, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.chiabu.2024.106804

PMID

38636157

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Repetitive non-suicidal self-injury (R-NSSI) in adolescence represents a significant risk factor for suicide. Although exposure to family stress is robustly associated with the risk of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), studies have not examined the potential mechanisms linking different forms of family stress and R-NSSI.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined how unique dimensions of family stress (threat and deprivation) relate to R-NSSI via interactions between impulsivity and emotion dysregulation. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: The current sample included 3801 middle-school adolescents (42.2 % girls, M(age) = 13.21 years).

METHODS: We conducted a two-wave study with 6-month intervals. Participants completed self-report measures assessing family stress, impulsivity, emotion dysregulation, and NSSI.

RESULTS: Moderate mediation analyses showed that threat was indirectly associated with NSSI frequency through the interaction of impulsivity and emotion dysregulation in the R-NSSI group and indirectly through impulsivity in the occasional NSSI (O-NSSI) group. Deprivation did not predict subsequent NSSI frequency in either group.

CONCLUSIONS: These findings lend empirical support to dimensional models of adversity and suggest that adolescents who experience threat-related family stress may have greater impulsivity and are more likely to report R-NSSI in the context of emotion dysregulation.

Language: en

Keywords

Deprivation; Emotion dysregulation; Impulsivity; Repetitive nonsuicidal self-injury; Threat