Investigating the Role of Childhood Trauma, Emotion Dysregulation, and Self-criticism in Predicting Self-harming Behaviors

Objective: Self-harming behavior is a major clinical issue in adolescenc. Childhood trauma, emotion dysregulation, and Self-criticism are the main concerns associated with self-harming behavior. In this study, we investigated the relationship between childhood trauma, emotion dysregulation, and Self-criticism with self-harming behaviors among adolescents in Iran. Methods: A sample of ۵۵۸ (۲۶۳ girls and ۲۹۵ boys) middle school-aged adolescents (aged ۱۳–۱۷) was recruited. Participants had at least one self-harming behavior in their clinical records. Self-harm Inventory (SHI), Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS), and Levels of Self-criticism questionnaire (LOSC) were completed online.  Results: Findings of step by step regression revealed a significant relationship between childhood trauma, emotion dysregulation, and Self-criticism with self-harming behaviors. More specifically, childhood trauma (β=۰.۲۵۳, t=۶.۴۲), emotion dysregulation (β=۰.۱۳۵, t=۲.۷۷), and Self-criticism (β=۰.۳۴۵, t=۸.۶۷) predicted self-harming behaviors. Conclusion: Our findings provided a therapeutic insight to prevent suicide and other related destructive behaviors among adolescents.