A description of properties and functions of nonsuicidal self-injury and its correlation with craving, impulsivity and anxiety in Slovene adolescents

Abstract

Background: the aim of this study was the description of the properties and functions of nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) diagnosed with DSM-V. This is a first study of this kind on a selected sample of Slovene adolescents. Moreover, it was our intention to define the level of anxiety, traumatization and impulsivity. We tried to test the hypothesis of the importance of craving on NSSI maintenance. Methods: the clinical trial was carried out on a final sample of 29 13–19 year old Slovene adolescents. All participants completed the translated self-rating questionnaires: ISAS, STAI, BIS-11, ETISR-SF and SICQ. A descriptive overlook of the results was made, as well as a comparison with the reference literature and a correlation analysis of quantitative variables. Results: the average age at the beginning of NSSI was 12.32 (SD= 1.84) years.18 adolescents were ranked as very impulsive. 25 were traumatized (of which 9 were sexually abused). We proved moderate positive correlations between the number of lifetime NSSI acts and craving (r=0.420, p=0.023), between the S-anxiety and impulsivity (r=0.381, p= 0.041) , T-anxiety and impulsivity (r=0.432, p= 0.019) and a moderate negative correlation between the age of first NSSI and the lifetime number of NSSI acts (r= -0.385, p=0.043). Conclusions: specificities of the Slovene sample of adolescents with NSSI are the young age at the beginning of NSSI, NSSI predominantly in solitude and a high percentage of sexually abused adolescents. The last is especially important in the treatment of adolescents on every level of healthcare. The number of NSSI acts was in a positive correlation with the craving. Impulsivity of adolescents with NSSI was in a positive correlation with the anxiety. Both claims should be replicated on a bigger sample and a causality relationship among entities should be evaluated.