Negative Life Events and Non-Suicidal Self-Injury in an Adolescent Inpatient Sample

Abstract

Objective Although life stressors have been implicated in the aetiology of various forms of psychopathology related to non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), particularly depression and suicidal behavior, they have rarely been examined in relation with NSSI. The objective of the current study was to assess the association between life stressors and NSSI in adolescent inpatients. Methods Adolescent inpatients (n = 110) completed measures of life events, NSSI, and depressive symptoms at three time-points over a nine-month period. Results Higher rates of life stressors were significantly associated with greater NSSI. This finding held even after covarying concurrent depressive symptoms and gender. Conclusion Life stressors may have a unique role in the pathogenesis of NSSI. Directions for future research and clinical implications are discussed.

Non-suicidal self-injury prospectively predicts interpersonal stressful life events and depressive symptoms among adolescent girls

“…The current study extends past research on the relationship between NSSI and stressful life events, which primarily has focused on the role of stressful life events as predictors of NSSI (Guerry & Prinstein, 2010; Liu et al, 2014). However our findings suggest that this relationship may not be unidirectional.…”

“…In addition, several studies indicate that individuals who attempted suicide experienced significantly more stressors in the previous year than control individuals (for a review, see Adams, Overholser, et al, 1996), particularly stressors that were interpersonal in nature. More recently, this framework has been applied to non-suicidal self-injurious behaviors as well, with research finding that higher rates of stressful life events are associated with greater NSSI (Guerry & Prinstein, 2010; Hankin & Abela, 2009; Liu et al, 2014). Thus, identifying factors that increase the risk of experiencing stressful life events, and specifically interpersonal stressors, is important for programs aimed at better understanding and preventing the development of psychopathology.…”

Non-suicidal self-injury and life stress: A systematic meta-analysis and theoretical elaboration

“…If relatively more distal life stress is of pathogenic relevance to NSSI, it may not be adequately captured with the long recall periods employed by most studies, and assessments at multiple time-points over briefer intervals may be recommended. Additionally, the life stress that has been implicated in the pathogenesis of other stress-related forms of mental illness, such as depression (Hammen, 2005) and suicidal ideation and behavior (Liu & Miller, 2014), has generally been found to be much more proximally related to their occurrence. For example, life stress occurring in the three months prior to depressive onset appears to be most etiologically relevant to this disorder (Harkness, Bruce, & Lumley, 2006).…”

“…Stressful life events have also been theoretically and empirically linked with risk for self-harm, particularly in the form of suicidal ideation and behavior (Liu & Miller, 2014; Mann et al, 2005). Considerably less studied in this regard is non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), defined as the direct and deliberate destruction of one’s own bodily tissue in the absence of any suicidal intent (Nock, 2010).…”

“… 1 Studies focusing predominantly on childhood maltreatment were excluded, following the precedent of prior systematic reviews of life stress (e.g., Liu & Miller, 2014). Additionally, in the case of childhood sexual abuse, the relation with NSSI has been the subject of several prior systematic reviews (e.g., Klonsky & Moyer, 2008; Maniglio, 2011).…”