Adolescent non-suicidal self-injury and its relationships with school bullying and peer rejection. (April 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Esposito, Concetta; Bacchini, Dario; Affuso, Gaetana
• Is Part Of: Psychiatry research. Volume 274(2019)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 6
• Publication Date: 2019-04
• Subjects: Non-suicidal self-injury -- School bullying -- School victimization -- Peer rejection -- Adolescence -- Bullying roles; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- periodicals; Psychiatrie -- Périodiques; 616.89
• DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2019.02.018
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0165-1781

Abstract

Highlights: Peer dynamics as precursors of NSSI have become an important field of research. Bullying involvement is a relevant factor risk for NSSI engagement. Peer rejection amplifies the risk for NSSI only in victims and bully-victims. Abstract: The central goal of this study was to examine the associations of school bullying and peer rejection with non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), as well as their interactive role in a sample of non-clinical adolescents. Six hundred and forty adolescents (253 Males, M age = 15.60, SD = 1.65) self-reported measures of school bullying and NSSI and provided sociometric ratings of peer rejection. The results showed that being involved in bullying (as bullies, victims, or bully-victims) increases the likelihood to engage in NSSI; being rejected by peers amplifies the probability, for victims and bully-victims, of using NSSI at least once. The findings support the hypothesis that peer relationships play a key-role in determining NSSI and the importance to implement programs aimed to improve the school climate in order to avoid maladjusted behaviors in adolescence.