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The Protective Role of Self-Compassion on Risk Factors for Non-suicidal Self-Injury in Adolescence

School Mental Health volume 8, pages 476–485 (2016)Cite this article

Abstract

Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) in adolescence is a serious public health problem. Although self-compassion is a protective factor of mental health difficulties in adult populations, its potential impact on adolescence remains scarcely explored. Therefore, we aimed to test whether self-compassion can mitigate the impact of daily peer hassles and depressive symptoms on NSSI. The participants were 643 adolescents (51.6 % female) with ages between 12 and 18 years, from middle and secondary schools. Self-report questionnaires were used to measure daily peer hassles, depressive symptoms, self-compassion and NSSI. Daily peer hassles were positively correlated with depressive symptoms and NSSI. Self-compassion was inversely associated with daily peer hassles and depressive symptoms and NSSI. Path analysis showed that self-compassion had a moderator effect on the association between depressive symptoms and NSSI. Results suggest that self-compassion can be a protective process, as it may buffer against the impact of depressive symptoms on NSSI. This study presents preventive and clinical implications for educators and therapists working with adolescents.

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Acknowledgments

This research has been supported by the first author, Ana Xavier, Ph.D. Grant (Grant Number: SFRH/BD/77375/2011), sponsored by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) and the European Social Fund (POPH).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cognitive and Behavioral Center for Research and Intervention (CINEICC), Faculdade de Psicologia e Ciências da Educação, University of Coimbra, Rua do Colégio Novo, 3000-115, Coimbra, Portugal

    Ana Xavier, José Pinto-Gouveia & Marina Cunha

  2. Miguel Torga Superior Institute, Coimbra, Portugal

    Marina Cunha

Authors
  1. Ana Xavier
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  2. José Pinto-Gouveia
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  3. Marina Cunha
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Correspondence to Ana Xavier.

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This article does not contain any studies with animals performed by any of the authors. All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standard.

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Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

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Xavier, A., Pinto-Gouveia, J. & Cunha, M. The Protective Role of Self-Compassion on Risk Factors for Non-suicidal Self-Injury in Adolescence. School Mental Health 8, 476–485 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12310-016-9197-9

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Keywords

  • Adolescence
  • Depression
  • Life hassles
  • Non-suicidal self-injury
  • Self-compassion