The relationship between non-suicidal self-injury and temperament in male and female adolescents based on child- and parent-report

Abstract

This study investigates differences in temperament dimensions between community adolescents with and without non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI). Data were collected from 251 adolescents (62.9% females). NSSI was assessed by means of the Self-Harm Inventory (SHI; Sansone, Songer, & Sellbom, 2006) and temperament by means of the Early Adolescent Temperament Questionnaire-Revised (EATQ-R; Ellis & Rothbart, 2001) filled out by the adolescent and his/her parent(s). Almost 27% of the adolescents showed at least one type of NSSI and there were no significant gender differences in the overall frequency of NSSI. However, considering specific NSSI methods, females showed significantly more cutting and scratching compared to males. Self-injurious adolescents showed significant higher scores on Negative Affectivity and lower scores on Effortful Control than adolescents without NSSI. Finally, Lack of Effortful Control and Negative Affectivity were the strongest predictors of NSSI in adolescents. Implications of these findings for the treatment of NSSI in community adolescents are discussed.