Deliberate Self-Harm in 14-Year-Old Adolescents: How Frequent Is It, and How Is It Associated with Psychopathology, Relationship Variables, and Styles of Emotional Regulation?

Summary, in English

Abstract. Deliberate self-harm was studied in 14-year-old adolescents from four schools in southern

Sweden with a test–retest design, using a nine-item version of the Deliberate Self-Harm Inventory. At

Time 1, 40.2% of the adolescents indicated deliberate self-harm on at least one occasion compared

with 36.5% at Time 2. Test–retest data showed high stability over periods of up to 2 months in

duration. Cross-validation of the results from Time 1 to Time 2 showed robust correlations between

deliberate self-harm and general psychopathology, a relative absence of positive feelings toward

parents, and a ruminative style of emotional regulation. Further, rumination/negative thinking and a

relative absence of positive feelings toward parents were predictors of self-harm independently of

general psychopathology. In addition, deliberate self-harm correlated with symptoms of eating

disorder and negative body esteem in girls.

• Author: Jonas Bjärehed; Lars-Gunnar Lundh
• Department/s: Department of Psychology
• Publishing year: 2008
• Language: English
• Pages: 26-37
• Publication/Series: Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
• Volume: 37
• Issue: 1
• Links: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/16506070701778951
• Document type: Journal article
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis
• Topic: Psychology
• Keywords: psychopathology; emotional regulation; adolescents; deliberate self-harm
• Status: Published
• Project: Självskadebeteende, emotionsreglering och interpersonella relationer hos tonåringar
• ISBN/ISSN/Other: ISSN: 1651-2316