Mental Problems in the Context of Self-Harming Behaviour (A Review Study)

Abstract

Listen

Translate article

Self-harm is a widespread and high-risk form of behaviour that occurs especially in adolescents and young adults. While research in this area in recent decades has mainly emphasised its increasing trend and high prevalence in the general (non-clinical) population, more recent research has drawn attention to its connection with various psychological difficulties. The occurrence of comorbidities and psychological difficulties in individuals who self-harm has not been greatly explored. The present study maps the occurrence of mental health problems linked with self-harming behaviour published in the results of scientific articles. The aim is to identify the most commonly occurring mental problems and comorbidities in the self-harming population, to categorise them in line with the areas defined by the Diagnostic Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth revision (DSM-5), and to determine the area of psychological problems that occurs most frequently in relation to self-harm. The data were obtained based on a review of scientific papers published up to September 2024 in the Web of Science database, generated by the database based on the keywords: “self-harm”, “non-suicidal self-injury” and “mental problems”. After eliminating duplicates and out-of-scope papers (51.6% of articles), the basis for the analysis of the occurrence of mental disorders comprised 30 scientific articles. The most frequent mental disorders occurring on the symptom level with self-harm are depression (N=13, 43.3% of articles), anxiety (N=8, 26.7%), illegal substance use (N=6, 20%) and suicidal ideation/planning (N=6, 20%). From the DSM-5 diagnosis categories, Relational Problems dominated, followed closely by Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders and Depressive Disorder. To understand self-harming behaviour, especially for effective intervention, it is necessary to focus attention on psychological difficulties and diagnoses that accompany self-harm.