Emotional schemas accompanying self-harm behaviors among adolescents

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study is to assess emotion regulation processes in adolescents with self-harm behavior by the emotional schema approach. Methods: The study included 101 adolescents with delibrate self-harm behavior (DSH), 99 adolescents with psychiatric diagnose and treatment without DSH (without DSH) and 99 healthy adolescents as the control group. Adolescents with DSH were asked to complete Sociodemographic Data Form, Self-Harm Behavior Form, and Leahy Emotional Schema Scale (LESS). Other two groups were asked to complete socio-demographic data form and LESS, afterwards these three groups were compared. Data were assessed with chi-square test and one way analysis of variance methods. Results: While suicide attempts, childhood violence and domestic violence were found significantly more in the DSH and without DSH groups, separation from parents and migration history frequency were found significantly higher only in the DSH group according to other two groups. Groups were compared with LESS; and it was found that ‘weakness against emotions’, ‘uncontrollability’, ‘rumination’, ‘seeing emotions as dangerous’, ‘dissimilarity’ and ‘guilt’ subscale’s mean scores were significantly higher in DSH group. Beside these results LESS ‘acceptance of feelings’, ‘consensus’, ‘comprehensibility’ subscales were lower in DSH group. Discussion: These results show that psychological stressors which individuals encountered in developing period, have establishing effects for DSH. Findings of our research support that DSH is one of the maladaptive coping styles for experienced negative emotions. Focusing on the emotion regulation functions of DSH and accompanying emotional schemas, may help dealing with difficulties through treatment.