Exploring the mediating role of self-hate in the relationship between adverse childhood experiences and non-suicidal self-injury among adolescents.

BACKGROUND

Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) has become a serious global problem among adolescents. This study aimed to explore the relationships between adverse childhood experiences, self-hate, and non-suicidal self-injury in adolescents.

METHODS

A total of 7009 adolescents participated in a survey from August 1 to December 31, 2023. The survey comprised the revised Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) Questionnaire, Self-Hate Scale, and Adolescent Non-Suicidal Self-Injury Assessment Questionnaire. SPSS 22.0 was utilized for data entry and analysis. Spearman's correlation analysis was employed to examine the relationships between the variables. The bias-corrected nonparametric percentile bootstrap method was used to test the significance of the mediating effect.

RESULTS

Adverse childhood experiences, self-hate, and non-suicidal self-injury were positively correlated. Adverse childhood experiences directly affected self-injury without obvious tissue damage. Self-hate mediated the relationship between adverse childhood experiences and self-injury without obvious tissue damage. Adverse childhood experiences directly affected self-injury with obvious tissue damage. Self-hate mediated between adverse childhood experiences and self-injury with obvious tissue damage.

LIMITATIONS

The data were cross-sectional, and the effects of adverse childhood experiences were not immediate. Further, because this was a subjective study, reporting bias was inevitable. Finally, future research should expand the discussion and improve the global relevance of the study.

CONCLUSION

Self-hate mediates the relationship between adverse childhood experiences and NSSI in adolescents. This study explores the underlying mechanisms and influencing factors of NSSI in adolescents and provides important evidence-based support for the prevention and intervention of NSSI in adolescents with different characteristics to maintain adolescents' physical and mental health.

IMPLICATIONS AND CONTRIBUTION

Given the close relationships found between adverse childhood experiences, self-hate, and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) in adolescents, it is crucial to address adverse childhood experiences to prevent and treat NSSI. Providing necessary psychological support and interventions can help foster positive self-awareness, enhance self-esteem and self-efficacy, reduce self-disgust, and mitigate the negative effects of adverse childhood experiences.