The association between family functioning and NSSI in adolescence: The mediating role of depressive symptoms

Abstract

Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) refers to socially unacceptable behavior causing intentional and direct injury to one’s own body tissue without conscious suicidal intent. Recent literature has highlighted the importance of examining the interaction between intrapersonal (e.g. coping, psychopathology) and interpersonal risk factors (e.g. psychopathology in family, family abuse, parenting), for enhancing our understanding of NSSI. The present study adds to this by investigating the association between NSSI, adolescent depressive feelings, and perceived family functioning. A sample of 358 adolescents was assessed by means of self-report measures for (1) NSSI behavior (NSSI-AT), (2) depressive symptoms (CDI-NL), and (3) perceived family functioning (FAD-NL). The prevalence rate of NSSI was 14.29%. Data suggest that general dysfunction of the family as a whole, poor affective involvement, and excessive behavioral control uniquely distinguished between adolescents engaging in NSSI and adolescents not engaging in NSSI. The association between family functioning and NSSI was partially mediated by depressive symptoms. The implications of the findings for further research, prevention, and intervention of NSSI are discussed.