Abstract
Personality traits, family environment and maltreatment episodes are often associated with nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI);
however, research on these associations has shown mixed results. The aim of the present study was to clarify the effects of
these factors on the presence and the severity of NSSI among a sample of Italian students who attended secondary schools (N = 267, mean age = 17.03 SD = 0.866). The results showed that personality traits, family environment and maltreatment differently
predicted the presence and the severity of NSSI. Self-injurers were more impulsive and aggressive than non-self-injurers and
reported poorer relationship quality with their mothers and more sexual and physical abuse episodes than non-self-injurers.
Conversely, the frequency of NSSI behaviours was predicted by the presence of less impulsiveness, more anxiety and aggressiveness,
poorer relationship quality with both parents and a lower degree of identification with the father. Finally, more frequent
self-injurers also reported more sexual abuses and neglect episodes than less frequent self-injurers.
however, research on these associations has shown mixed results. The aim of the present study was to clarify the effects of
these factors on the presence and the severity of NSSI among a sample of Italian students who attended secondary schools (N = 267, mean age = 17.03 SD = 0.866). The results showed that personality traits, family environment and maltreatment differently
predicted the presence and the severity of NSSI. Self-injurers were more impulsive and aggressive than non-self-injurers and
reported poorer relationship quality with their mothers and more sexual and physical abuse episodes than non-self-injurers.
Conversely, the frequency of NSSI behaviours was predicted by the presence of less impulsiveness, more anxiety and aggressiveness,
poorer relationship quality with both parents and a lower degree of identification with the father. Finally, more frequent
self-injurers also reported more sexual abuses and neglect episodes than less frequent self-injurers.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Contribution
- Pages 1-10
- DOI 10.1007/s00787-012-0289-2
- Authors
- Rossella Di Pierro, Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, Building U6, Piazza dell’Ateneo Nuovo 1, 20126 Milan, Italy
- Irene Sarno, Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, Building U6, Piazza dell’Ateneo Nuovo 1, 20126 Milan, Italy
- Sara Perego, Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, Building U6, Piazza dell’Ateneo Nuovo 1, 20126 Milan, Italy
- Marcello Gallucci, Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, Building U6, Piazza dell’Ateneo Nuovo 1, 20126 Milan, Italy
- Fabio Madeddu, Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, Building U6, Piazza dell’Ateneo Nuovo 1, 20126 Milan, Italy
- Journal European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
- Online ISSN 1435-165X
- Print ISSN 1018-8827