Enikolopov, S.N.
Lomonosov Moscow State University, The Mental Health Research Center
Efremov, A.G.
The Mental Health Research Center
Khlomov, K.D.
Russian Academy of National Economy and Public Administration under the President of the Russian Federation
Abstract
Background. Non-suicidal self-harming behaviour (NSSHB) is now widespread among young people in the world, the number of acts of which, including the one-time ones, can reach, according to various estimates, up to a quarter of the total number of students.
Objectives. The study achieved three goals: to study methods and differences in the models of non-suicidal self-harming behaviour (NSSHB) in a sample of students from different subject areas, possible links between non-suicidal self-harming behaviour (NSSHB) and various cognitive impairments, and to study the mechanisms of various cognitive impairments that support NSSHB.
Study Participants. The study involved 617 respondents aged 17 to 25 years (Mage = 23.4; SD = 6.53; 475 women (77%) and 142 men (23%), students of various profiles, 400 students of psychological profile of higher education.
Methods. The study was carried out on the basis of a survey design using three questionnaires: the scale for the degree of depressing rumination (I-RS), coping styles (CSQ-3), the Toronto alexithymia assessment scale (TAS), and the NSSHB questionnaire. To process quantitative data, regression analysis is used — logistic regression Omnibus test, Cronbach’s α coefficient, Student’s t-criterion.
Results. Participants with NSSHB scored significantly higher on maladaptive coping styles and psychology students on alexithymia. These differences were especially noticeable among students with recurrent and recent NSSHB. The maladaptive orientation of thinking and the factor of alexithymia turned out to be the most significant predictors of self-harm behaviour. About 10% of students with NSHB committed self-harm for the first time while studying directly at a university. Psychological profile students are more characterized by NSSHB than students of other profiles (χ2 = 5.54; df = 1; p = 0.019).
Conclusions. The results confirm the importance of psychological support services in universities, and the need for further research into the psychological mechanisms of NSSHB. Students who have difficulty recognizing their own emotional states are less able to identify and apply strategies for enduring distress or solving underlying psychological problems.
References
Abramova, A.A., Enikilopov, S.N., Efremov, A.G., Kuznetsova, S.O. (2018). Autoaggressive non-suicidal behavior as the way of coping with negative emotions. Klinicheskaia i spetsial’naia psikhologiia = Clinical Psychology and Special Education, 7(2), 21–40. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.17759/cpse.2018070202
Armey, M.F., Crowther, J.H. (2008). A comparison of linear versus non-linear models of aversive self-awareness, dissociation, and non-suicidal self-injury among young adults. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 76(1), 9–14. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-006X.76.1.9
Berk, M.S., Henriques, G.R., Warman, D.M., Brown, G.K., Beck, A.T. (2004). A cognitive therapy intervention for suicide attempters: An overview of the treatment and case examples. Cognitive and Behavioural Practice, 11(3), 265–277. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1077-7229(04)80041-5
Burlakova, N.S., Oleshkevich, V.I. (2023). Cultural-historical methodology for the analysis of anamneses of adolescents with selfharm behaviours. National Psychological Journal, 18(1), 101–113. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.11621/npj.2023.0109
Chapman, A.L., Gratz, K.L., Brown, M.Z. (2006). Solving the puzzle of deliberate self-harm: the experiential avoidance model. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 44(3), 371–394. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brat.2005.03.005
Chistopolskaya, K.A., Enikolopov, S.N. (2019). Characteristics of young people in acute suicidal crisis with and without non-suicidal selfharm and suicide attempts. Suicidologiya = Suicidology, 10(4(37)), 47–64. (In Russ). https://doi.org/10.32878/suiciderus.19-10-04(37)-47-64
Dorosheva, E.A., Knyazev, G.G. (2017). Psychometric properties of three emotion regulation questionnaires. In: Modern problems of clinical psychology and personality psychology. (pp. 193–198). Novosibirsk: NSU Publ. (In Russ.)
Efremov, A.G. (2006). Systems of subjective values in adolescents with autoaggressive attempts: Diss. Cand. Sci. (Psychol.). Moscow. (In Russ.)
Efremov, A.G., Kuznetsova, S.O., Enikolopov, S.N., Abramova, A.A. (2020). Psychological features of suicidal behavior. In the Kochenov Readings — 2020. Psychology and Law in Modern Russia. In: V.V. Rubtsov, (ed.). All-Russian Conference on Legal Psychology with International Participation (November 11–13, 2020). (pp. 31–33). Moscow: MSUPE Publ. (In Russ.)
Egiazaryan, Z.A., Enikolopov, S.N., Efremov, A.G. (2018). Self-harm in survivors of childhood sexual abuse. In the Modern Problems of Psychology and Education in the Context of Working with Various Categories of Children and Youth. In: R.E. Barabanov, (ed.). Second All-Russian with International Participation Scientific and Practical Conference (April 26–27, 2018). (pp. 17–21). Moscow: MUIT-MIACE Publ. (In Russ.)
Enikolopov, S.N., Kuznetsova, S.O., Abramova, A.А., Efremov, A.G. (2019). The study of the auto-aggressive behaviour in individuals who survived sexual abuse in childhood. National Psychological Journal, (3(35)), 88–100. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.11621/npj.2019.0310
Enikolopov, S.N., Medvedeva, T.I., Vorontsova, O.Yu., Boyko, O.M., Zhabina, D.V. (2022). Auto-aggression and psychological aspects of body perception in depression. Psikhologicheskie issledovaniya = Psychological Studies, 15(81). (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.54359/ps.v15i81.1072
Evseev, V.D., Bokhan, N.A., Mandel, A.I., Kadochnikova, S.V. (2022). Association of non-suicidal self-harm with anxiety, depression and aggressive behavior in young men of military age. Psikhiatriya = Psychiatry, 20(4), 27–35. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.30629/2618-6667-2022-20-4-27-35
Gratz, K.L., Chapman, A.L. (2007). The role of emotional responding and childhood maltreatment in the development and maintenance of deliberate self-harm among male undergraduates. Psychology of Men & Masculinity, 8(1), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1037/1524-9220.8.1.1
Hawton, K., Rodham, K., Evans, E. (2006). By their own young hand: Deliberate self-harm and suicidal ideas in adolescents. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
Khlomov, K.D., Enikolopov, S.N. (2006). Gestalt therapy in the practice of psychological assistance to pregnant women with the threat of termination. In the Ananiev Readings — 2006. In: L.A. Tsvetkova, A.A. Krylov, (eds.). Scientific and Practical Conference (October 24–26, 2006). (pp. 423–425). Saint-Petersburg: SPbU Publ. (In Russ.)
Khutoryanskaya, J.V., Pozdnyak, V.V., Grechanyy, S.V. (2022). Non-suicidal self-injurious behavior in adolescents. Zhurnal nevrologii i psikhiatrii imeni S.S. Korsakova = S.S. Korsakov Journal of Neurology and Psychiatry, 122(12), 105–110. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.17116/jnevro2022122121105
Kuleshov, A.A., Krylova, E.S., Beburishvili, A.A., Kaleda, V.G. (2022). Dynamics of autoagressive behavior in youth in the trajectory of borderline personality disorder. Obozrenie psihiatrii i medicinskoj psihologii imeni V.M. Bekhtereva = V.M. Bekhterev review of psychiatry and medical psychology, 56(4), 77–84. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.31363/2313-7053-2022-4-77-84
Kuznetsova, S.O., Mustafina, K.A., Takmakova, M.V. (2022). The relationship of body modification and self-harming behavior with psychological traumas experienced in childhood. Vestnik Permskogo universiteta. Filosofiya. Psikhologiya. Sotsiologiya = Bulletin of Perm University. Philosophy. Psychology. Sociology, (3), 479–493. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.17072/2078-7898/2022-3-479-493
Kuznetsova, S.O., Takmakova, M.V. (2021). Personal traits of young men with self-injurious behavior and with subclinical depression. Vestnik Permskogo universiteta. Filosofiya. Psikhologiya. Sotsiologiya = Bulletin of Perm University. Philosophy. Psychology. Sociology, (3), 454–465. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.17072/2078-7898/2021-3-454-465
Kuznetsova, S.Yu., Basova, A.Ya., Zalmanova, S.L., Khlomov, K.D. (2023). Body image in adolescents with suicidal and non-suicidal self-harm behavior: satisfaction with their own bodies. Klinicheskaia i spetsial’naia psikhologiia = Clinical Psychology and Special Education, 12(2), 138–163. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.17759/cpse.2023120207
Parker, J.D.A., Taylor, G.J., Bagby, R.M. (2003). The 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale: III. Reliability and factorial validity in a community population. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 55(3), 269–275. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0022-3999(02)00578-0
Pavio, S.C., McCulloch, C.R. (2004). Alexithymia as a mediator between childhood trauma and self-injurious behaviours. Child Abuse and Neglect, 28, 339–354.
Polk, E., Liss, M. (2007). Psychological characteristics of self-injurious behavior. Personality and Individual Differences, 43(3), 567–577. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2007.01.003
Polskaya, N.A. (2018). Risk factors and approaches to preventing self-injurious behavior in adolescents. Klinicheskaia i spetsial’naia psikhologiia = Clinical Psychology and Special Education, 7(2), 1–20. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.17759/cpse.2018070201
Roger, D., Guarino de Scremin, L., Borril, J., Forbes, A. (2011). Rumination, inhibition and stress: The construction of a new scale for assessing emotional style. Current Psychology, 30(3), 234–244. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-011-9117-y
Roger, D., Jarvis, G., Najarian, B. (1993). Detachment and coping: The construction and validation of a new scale for measuring coping strategies. Personality and Individual Differences, 15(6), 619–626. https://doi.org/10.1016/0191-8869(93)90003-L
Roger, D., Najarian, B. (1989). The construction and validation of a new scale for measuring emotion control. Personality and Individual Differences, 10(8), 845–853. https://doi.org/10.1016/0191-8869(89)90020-2
Rose, A.J., Carlson, W., Waller, E.M. (2007). Prospective associations of co-rumination with friendship and emotional adjustment: Considering the socioemotional trade-offs of co-rumination. Developmental Psychology, 43(4), 1019–1031. https://doi.org/10.1037/0012-1649.43.4.1019
Slee, N., Arensman, E., Garnefski, N., Spinhoven, P. (2008). Cognitive-behavioral therapy for deliberate self-harm. Crisis: The Journal of Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention, 28(4), 175–182. https://doi.org/10.1027/0227-5910.28.4.175
Starostina, E.G., Taylor, G.D., Quilty, L.K., Bobrov, A.E., Moshnyaga, E.N., Puzyreva, N.V., Bobrova, M.A., Ivashkina, M.G., Krivchikova, M.N., Shavrikova, E.P., Begbi, M.B. (2010). A new 20-item version of the Toronto Alexithymia Scale: validation of the Russian language translation in a sample of medical patients. Social’naya i klinicheskaya psihiatriya = Sotsial’naya i klinicheskaya psikhiatriya, 4, 31–38.
Taylor, G.J., Bagby, P.M., Parker, J.D. (1992). The Revised Toronto Alexithymia Scale: Some reliability, validity and normative data. Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, 57(1–2), 34–41. https://doi.org/10.1159/000288571
Vasileva, A.V., Antokhina, R.I., Antokhin, E.Yu. (2021). Successful forecasting strategies and expression of negative children’s experience in adolescents with non-suicidal self-injury. Psikhicheskoe zdorovie = Mental Health, (6), 25–35. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.25557/2074-014X.2021.06.25-35
Velikotzkaya, A.M., Khlomov, K.D., Enikolopov, S.N., Efremov, A.G. (2018). Offense situation experience as a traumatic event among adolescents being in conflict with the law. Klinicheskaia i spetsial’naia psikhologiia = Clinical Psychology and Special Education, 7(3), 66–83. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.17759/cpse.2018070304
Walsh, B.W. (2008). Treating self-injury: A practical guide. New York: Guilford Press.
Wasserman, L.I., Iovlev, B.V., Isaeva, E.R., Trifonova, E.A., Shchelkova, O.Yu., Novozhilova, M.Yu., Vuks, A.Ya. (2008). Methodology for psychological diagnostics of coping methods with stressful and problematic situations for the individual. St. Petersburg: NIPNI named after V.M. Bekhterev Publ. (In Russ.)
Whitlock, J., Eckenrode, J., Silverman, D. (2006). Self-injurious behaviors in a college population. Pediatrics, 117(6), 1939–1948. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2005-2543
Williams, J.M., Duggan, D.S., Crane, C., Fennel, M.J. (2006). Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for prevention of recurrence of suicidal behavior. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 62(2), 201–210. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.20223
Yurkova, I.Yu. (2023). Improving the psychological competence of a teacher in the field of non-suicidal self-harming behavior in adolescents. In the The Potential of Education for Self-Realization and Talent Development Among Young People. In: O.V. Bondarenko, (ed.). Regional Scientific and Practical Conference Dedicated to the Year of the Teacher and Mentor (January 20, 2023). (pp. 81–85). Irkutsk: IrSAU Publ. (In Russ.)
Zinchuk, M.S., Lavrishcheva, A.P., Menshikova, A.A., Voinova, N.I., Artemieva, M.S., Guekht, A.B. (2022). Nonsuicidal self-injury in eating disorders. Zhurnal nevrologii i psikhiatrii imeni S.S. Korsakova = S.S. Korsakov Journal of Neurology and Psychiatry, 122(9), 70–78. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.17116/jnevro202212209170
To cite this article:
Enikolopov, S.N. , Efremov, A.G., Khlomov, K.D..
A Study of Coping Strategies, Maladaptive Thinking Tendencies and Alexithymia in Students with Intentional Non-Suicidal Self-Harming Behaviour. // National Psychological Journal
2025. 4. Pages46-59. doi: 10.11621/npj.2025.0404
Copied to Clipboard
Copy
