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Internalizing and externalizing problems mediate the relationship between maltreatment and self-harm among UK
Li Yang1, Fei-Fei Jia1, Xin-Yi Lu1
1Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China.
Journal of Affective Disorders
|April 21, 2023
Summary
Maltreatment, including emotional and physical abuse, significantly predicts adolescent self-harm. Internalizing and externalizing problems partially mediate this link, highlighting the need for early intervention.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Public Health
- Adolescent Health
Background:
- Maltreatment is a key risk factor for adolescent self-harm.
- Internalizing and externalizing problems are prevalent in adolescents.
- Understanding the interplay between maltreatment, psychopathology, and self-harm is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between maltreatment and adolescent self-harm.
- To examine the mediating roles of internalizing and externalizing problems in this relationship.
- To analyze data from a large UK adolescent cohort.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the UK Millennium Cohort Study (N=8894).
- Assessed variables via questionnaires.
- Employed path analysis to test mediation models.
Main Results:
- 23.4% of adolescents reported self-harm in the past 12 months.
- Emotional and physical abuse were significantly linked to self-harm.
- Internalizing problems primarily mediated the emotional abuse-self-harm link (effect size 0.29); both problem types mediated the physical abuse-self-harm link (effect sizes 0.23 and 0.19).
Conclusions:
- Emotional and physical abuse predict adolescent self-harm, with partial mediation by internalizing and externalizing problems.
- Effective maltreatment supervision and timely intervention for psychological issues are vital for self-harm prevention.
- Adolescents experiencing multiple forms of maltreatment exhibit higher self-harm risk.
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