Loneliness in the Context of Self-Harm Behaviors in Adolescence

Abstract

Loneliness could both precede and follow poor mental health of adolescents. Since the last decade, the mental health problems in adolescence have become widespread and heavier; it is important to address what role loneliness has in predicting and maintaining mental health problems. This chapter summarizes research data that connect loneliness with specific internalizing problems in adolescence–non-suicidal self-injury, suicidal thoughts, and attempts and deliberate self-harm, with or without suicidal intention. Findings of different studies are discussed in the context of the interpersonal theory of suicide, the integrated motivational-volitional model of suicidal behavior, Nock’s integrated theoretical model of NSSI, as well as the evolutionary theory of loneliness. Since the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting public health measures had major impacts on mental health, including on self-harm, and as loneliness increased due to social distancing and isolation, practical implications for the future crisis are proposed in order to save adolescents’ mental health.