Difficulties in Emotion Regulation and the Frequency and Severity of Non-Suicidal Self-Injury in Psychiatrically Hospitalized Adolescents : A Clinicaland Correlational Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12923/2353-8627/2025-0024Keywords:
NSSI, adolescents, mental disorders, emotional dysregulationAbstract
Introduction: Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) constitutes a significant mental health problem in the adolescent population. These behaviors are defined as intentional damage to the body performed without the intention of ending one’s life and most often serve the function of regulating emotional tension. The literature indicates that one of the key factors associated with the occurrence of NSSI is difficulty in emotion regulation.
Aim of the study: The aim of the study was to determine the relationship between the severity of non-suicidal self-injury, understood as its frequency and severity, and the level of difficulties in emotion regulation among psychiatrically hospitalized adolescents.
Material and methods: The study had a cross-sectional design and was conducted between 2019 and 2022 among 205 psychiatrically hospitalized adolescents (aged 12–24 years). Difficulties in emotion regulation were assessed using the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS), while the severity of NSSI was evaluated using the Self-Injury Trauma Scale (SIT), which includes the Number Index (NI) and the Severity Index (SI) of self-injury. Statistical analyses were conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics 28, employing descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation analysis, and multiple regression analysis.
Results: Positive, although weak, correlations were found between the overall level of difficulties in emotion regulation and both the number (r = 0.256; p = 0.001) and severity of self-injury (r = 0.204; p = 0.001). The strongest associations concerned difficulties in impulse control and problems with goal-directed behavior. Regression analysis showed that difficulty in impulse control was a significant predictor of both the number (β = 0.265; p = 0.009) and severity of self-injury (β = 0.220; p = 0.015).
Conclusions: The obtained results confirm the important role of emotional dysregulation in the severity of NSSI behaviors among hospitalized adolescents. A deficit in impulse control appears to be particularly significant, as it may increase both the frequency and severity of self-injury. The findings highlight the need to include emotion regulation training in therapeutic programs for adolescents exhibiting self-aggressive behaviors.
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