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Non-suicidal Self-Injury in Adolescence: The Role of Shame, Self-Criticism and Fear of Self-Compassion

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Abstract

Background

Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a serious and relatively prevalent problem in adolescence. Although several studies have identified risk factors for the aetiology and maintenance of NSSI, little is known about the impact of individual and contextual variables in such pervasive behaviors among adolescents.

Objective

This paper aims to test whether specific internal traits characterized by shame, self-criticism and fear of self-compassion impact on NSSI, through their effect in daily peer hassles and depression.

Methods

Participants are 782 adolescents with 12–18 years-old from middle and secondary schools (years of education’s mean = 9.46). This study has a cross-sectional design. Self-report measures include external shame, self-criticism, fear of self-compassion, daily peer hassles, depressive symptoms and NSSI.

Results

External shame, hated self and fear of self-compassion indirectly predict NSSI, through their effect in daily peer hassles and depression. The most pathological form of self-criticism (hated self) is strongly associated with NSSI.

Conclusions

These findings contribute to clarification of the paths through which the belief that one is seen negatively by others, the hostile self-to-self relationship and the inability to direct compassion for self may increase NSSI. Daily peer hassles and current depressive symptoms seem to play an important role in the association between internal traits and NSSI. Preventive and intervention actions for reducing NSSI in adolescence should address not only interpersonal difficulties but also self-to-self relationship.

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Acknowledgments

This research has been supported by the first author, Ana Xavier, Ph.D. Grant (Grant No.: SFRH/BD/77375/2011), sponsored by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) and the European Social Fund (POPH).

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Ana Xavier, José Pinto Gouveia and Marina Cunha take responsibility for the integrity of the data and the accuracy of the data analysis.

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Correspondence to Ana Xavier.

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Ana Xavier, José Pinto Gouveia and Marina Cunha declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Xavier, A., Pinto Gouveia, J. & Cunha, M. Non-suicidal Self-Injury in Adolescence: The Role of Shame, Self-Criticism and Fear of Self-Compassion. Child Youth Care Forum 45, 571–586 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10566-016-9346-1

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