Andersson H, Korhonen L, Holmqvist Larsson K, Gustafsson B M, Zetterqvist M
Center for Social and Affective Neuroscience, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.
Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Linköping, Region Östergötland, Sweden.
J Adolesc. 2025 Jan;97(1):263-277. doi: 10.1002/jad.12417. Epub 2024 Oct 2.
Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a common and concerning behavior in adolescents. However, most adolescents cease NSSI as they transition into adulthood. Increased knowledge of the cessation process is needed. This study aimed to qualitatively explore the factors contributing to NSSI cessation in individuals with lived experience of NSSI, providing valuable insights for treatment strategies.
Twenty-six individuals assigned female sex at birth, between ages 20-22 years, from Sweden were interviewed between 2021 and 2023 in Linköping, Sweden. Of these, 21 individuals perceived themselves as having ceased NSSI and were included in the analysis. Thematic analysis and Hooley and Franklins' Benefits and Barriers Model of NSSI were used to analyze the transcripts.
Three overarching themes were generated: "Something inside me changed", "Something in my close relationships changed", and "Something in my life context changed". The cessation of NSSI was associated with several key factors. Improved well-being and envisioning a different future were pivotal in initiating the cessation process. Additionally, interpersonal relationships and support from others were interpreted as powerful motivators for change. Transitioning to a new social context and leaving behind a destructive environment provided opportunities for personal growth and enhanced well-being, interpreted as initiators in the participants' broader life context.
This study underscores the complexity of the NSSI cessation process and highlights the need for a comprehensive understanding of the underlying factors. Access to emotion regulation skills was perceived as a significant barrier to NSSI engagement. Clinical implications and different interventions to support NSSI cessation are discussed.
非自杀性自伤行为（NSSI）在青少年中是一种常见且令人担忧的行为。然而，大多数青少年在步入成年后会停止这种行为。我们需要更多关于其停止过程的了解。本研究旨在定性探索促使有非自杀性自伤行为经历的个体停止该行为的因素，为治疗策略提供有价值的见解。
2021年至2023年期间，在瑞典林雪平对26名出生时被指定为女性、年龄在20至22岁之间的个体进行了访谈。其中，21名个体认为自己已经停止了非自杀性自伤行为，并被纳入分析。采用主题分析法以及胡利和富兰克林的非自杀性自伤行为的益处与障碍模型对访谈记录进行分析。
产生了三个总体主题：“我内心的某些东西发生了变化”、“我亲密关系中的某些东西发生了变化”以及“我生活环境中的某些东西发生了变化”。非自杀性自伤行为的停止与几个关键因素相关。幸福感的提升以及对不同未来的憧憬是启动停止过程的关键。此外，人际关系和他人的支持被视为改变的有力动机。过渡到新的社会环境并摆脱有害环境为个人成长和幸福感提升提供了机会，这被视为参与者更广泛生活背景下的启动因素。
本研究强调了非自杀性自伤行为停止过程的复杂性，并突出了全面理解潜在因素的必要性。获得情绪调节技能被认为是参与非自杀性自伤行为的一个重大障碍。文中讨论了支持停止非自杀性自伤行为的临床意义和不同干预措施。
