Characteristics of self-injurious behaviour and early traumatic experiences: associations with emotional reactivity, depression and aggression in university students.
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background: A lifetime history of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a risk factor for subsequent behavioural and emotional problems, including depression, aggression and heightened emotional reactivity. Traumatic experiences, which are frequently reported by individuals with NSSI, also show predictive links to these mental health problems. However, the exact connections between these areas and their subdomains remain unclear.
Aims: To explore in detail the relationships of specific characteristics of NSSI (e.g. termination in adolescence, duration, frequency, reinforcement mechanisms) and various types of traumatic experience (emotional, physical, sexual) with distinct aspects of emotional reactivity (sensitivity, intensity, persistence), aggression (behavioural, cognitive, affective) and severity of depression in university students.
Method: Via online survey, 150 university students aged 18 to 25 years, who had self-injured at least once, provided information on NSSI, and completed questionnaires including the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, Patient Health Questionnaire, Emotion Reactivity Scale, and Aggression Questionnaire. Regression analyses were conducted to determine risk factors linked to increased depression scores, aggression and emotional reactivity. The study was pre-registered in the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00023731).
Results: Childhood emotional abuse contributed to emotional reactivity, aggression and depressive symptom severity (β = 0.33-0.51). Risk factors for sustained NSSI beyond adolescence included increased automatic positive reinforcement (odds ratio: 2.24).
Conclusions: Childhood emotional abuse significantly contributes to emotional and behavioural problems and needs to be considered in NSSI therapy. NSSI was found to persist into adulthood when used as an emotion regulation strategy.
期刊介绍:
Announcing the launch of BJPsych Open, an exciting new open access online journal for the publication of all methodologically sound research in all fields of psychiatry and disciplines related to mental health. BJPsych Open will maintain the highest scientific, peer review, and ethical standards of the BJPsych, ensure rapid publication for authors whilst sharing research with no cost to the reader in the spirit of maximising dissemination and public engagement. Cascade submission from BJPsych to BJPsych Open is a new option for authors whose first priority is rapid online publication with the prestigious BJPsych brand. Authors will also retain copyright to their works under a creative commons license.