Psychopathological Aspects of Parasuicidal Behavior in Adolescents and Young Adults

Objective. The aim of this study was to determine the psychopathological symptoms associated with self-harming behavior in order to develop preventive measures.

Materials and Methods. We included individuals aged 18 to 35. The main group consisted of individuals with a history of self-harming behavior, while the control group included individuals without any history of self-harming behavior. All participants completed a structured interview and the following questionnaires: SCL-90-R, the questionnaire of propensity to deviant behavior, and the «Coping Behavior Methods» questionnaire. We assessed the severity of psychopathological symptoms, motivation, and other characteristics of self-harming behavior.

Results. A total of 77 participants were included, divided into the main (n=39) and control (n=38) groups. Correlations were identified between the main characteristics of self-harming behavior. According to the SCL-90-R questionnaire, individuals with a history of self-harming behavior had higher scores in somatization, obsessions, sensitivity, depression, anxiety, hostility, phobic anxiety, paranoia, and psychoticism (p<0.01). The «avoidance» coping strategy was more prevalent in the main group (p<0.05). According to the questionnaire of propensity to deviant behavior, individuals in the main group had higher scores in overcoming rules, aggression and violence, volitional control, and addictive, self-destructive, and delinquent behavior (p<0.05). There were correlations between the regularity of self-harming behavior and the use of multiple types of self-harming behavior (r=0.497; p<0.01), pursuit of internal goals (r=0.333; p<0.05), occurrence of positive emotions after self-harm (r=0.352; p<0.05), increasing desire to stop this behavior (r=0.359; p<0.05), and difficulty achieving remission (r= –0.553; p<0.01). Experiencing negative emotions after an act of self-harm was negatively associated with the use of multiple types of self-harming behavior (r= –0.412; p<0.01) and addictive behavior (r= –0.408; p<0.05).

Conclusion. Adolescents and young adults with a history of self-harming behavior differ significantly from their peers in the presence of concomitant psychopathological symptoms. The regularity of self-harming behavior is associated with the use of multiple types of self-harming behavior and difficulty achieving remission. Our findings have clinical significance and may be incorporated into the development of preventive measures.

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