Non-suicidal self-injury among Dutch and Belgian adolescents: Personality, stress and coping - 10/08/15

Doi : 10.1016/j.eurpsy.2015.06.007

G. Kiekens ^a,^⁎ , R. Bruffaerts ^a, M.K. Nock ^b, M. Van de Ven ^c, C. Witteman ^c, P. Mortier ^a, K. Demyttenaere ^a, L. Claes ^d
^a KU Leuven, Research Group of Psychiatry, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
^b Harvard University, Department of Psychology, 33, Kirkland Street, Cambridge MA 02138, USA
^c Radboud University Nijmegen, Behavioural Science Institute, Diagnostic Decision Making, P.O. Box 9104, 6500 HE Nijmegen, The Netherlands
^d KU Leuven, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Tiensestraat 102, 3000 Leuven, Belgium

^⁎Corresponding author at: Kapucijnenvoer 33 building I, box 7001, 3000 Leuven, Belgium. Tel.: +32 16 33 25 94; fax: +32 16 34 87 00.

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Abstract

Background

This study examines: (1) the prevalence of Non-Suicidal Self-Injury (NSSI) among Dutch and Belgian adolescents, (2) the associations between Big Five personality traits and NSSI engagement/versatility (i.e., number of NSSI methods), and (3) whether these associations are mediated by perceived stress and coping.

Methods

A total of 946 Flemish (46%) and Dutch (54%) non-institutionalized adolescents (Mean age=15.52; SD=1.34, 44% females) were surveyed. Measures included the NSSI subscale of the Self-Harm-Inventory, the Dutch Quick Big Five Personality questionnaire, the Perceived Stress Scale and the Utrecht Coping List for Adolescents. Examination of zero-order correlations was used to reveal associations, and hierarchical regression analysis was used to reveal potential mediators which were further examined within parallel mediation models by using a bootstrapping-corrected procedure.

Results

Lifetime prevalence of NSSI was 24.31%. Neuroticism; perceived stress; and distractive, avoidant, depressive, and emotional coping were positively associated with NSSI engagement, whereas Agreeableness, Conscientiousness; and active, social, and optimistic coping were negatively associated with NSSI engagement. Observed relationships between personality traits and NSSI engagement were consistently explained by perceived stress and depressive coping. A higher versatility of NSSI was not associated with any Big Five personality trait, but was associated with higher scores on perceived stress and depressive coping and with lower scores on active and optimistic coping.

Conclusion

Our study suggests that a specific personality constellation is associated with NSSI engagement via high stress levels and a typical depressive reaction pattern to handle stressful life events.

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Keywords : Non-suicidal self-injury, NSSI versatility, Personality, Stress, Coping, Mediation analyses