The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the incidence of non-suicidal self-injury; a comparison between Iran and Belgium

Abstract

Introduction The outbreak of COVID-19 has heightened mental health challenges among adolescents worldwide, while also hindering the development of effective emotion regulation strategies. Nevertheless, there exists a pertinent requirement to further investigate the psychological ramifications of COVID-19 on adolescents, as well as to discern disparities in these impacts across various nations. In order to address this gap in research, this study compares the prevalence of NSSI (characterized by purposefully injuring one's own body tissues without suicidal intention or engaging in behaviors that are not socially approved or sanctioned.), emotion regulation strategies, and psychopathology (internalization and externalization) among Belgian and Iranian adolescents pre- and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method Adolescents between the ages of 13-21 from Iran and Belgium participated in a two-wave longitudinal design. In Iran, the sample consisted of 117 adolescents in wave 1 (April 2019) and 142 adolescents in wave 2 (Nov 2020). The Belgian sample consisted of 376 participants in wave 1 and 356 adolescents in wave 2. NSSI was assessed using the Self-Harm Inventory (SHI). Emotion Regulation was examined via the Emotion Regulation Inventory (ERI). The S trengths and Difficulties Questionnaire for Youth (SDQ) was used to assess psychological symptoms. Result Across the whole sample, lifetime NSSI prevalence was 35% in the first wave and 43.8% in the second wave. Longitudinal analysis across waves and counties did not show an increase in the prevalence of NSSI but did find that emotion dysregulation and internalizing symptoms are important risk factors for NSSI across countries. Emotional suppression and emotional dysregulation were the most prevalent emotion regulation strategies in Iran, whereas emotional integration was most prevalent in the Belgian sample. Conclusion Our study highlights cultural differences on the impact of COVID-19 on adolescent mental health. But it also indicates the importance of certain universal risk factors, for example, emotional dysregulation. These findings can inform developers to tailor programs for (early) intervention culturally.