Developmental trajectories and gender differences in adolescent non-suicidal self-injury

Area of Science:

• Adolescent psychology
• Mental health research
• Behavioral science

Background:

• Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a significant public health concern among adolescents.
• Understanding the developmental patterns and gender dynamics of NSSI is crucial for effective interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the developmental trajectory of adolescent NSSI.
• To examine gender differences in NSSI prevalence and developmental patterns.
• To inform prevention and intervention strategies for adolescent NSSI.

Main Methods:

• A longitudinal study involving 1,042 junior high school students surveyed three times at six-month intervals.
• Utilized the Adolescent Self-Injury Scale (ASIS) to assess NSSI behaviors.
• Employed latent growth curve modeling (LGCM) and multi-group comparisons to analyze developmental trends and gender differences.

Main Results:

• NSSI detection rates were 43.95%, 44.43%, and 38.36% across the three time points.
• LGCM revealed a significant decreasing trend in adolescent NSSI over time (mean slope = -2.297, P<0.001).
• Significant individual variability in both initial NSSI levels and the rate of change was observed, with no statistically significant gender differences in the overall trajectory.

Conclusions:

• Adolescent NSSI is prevalent but shows a declining trend over the study period.
• While individual differences in NSSI trajectories are substantial, gender does not appear to be a significant factor in these developmental changes.
• Findings highlight the need for tailored interventions addressing individual NSSI patterns, irrespective of gender.