Psychological experiences in adolescents with non-suicidal self-injury behavior： a qualitative Meta-synthesis

Abstract

BackgroundNon-suicidal self-injury （NSSI） is a serious global public health issue and an important risk factor for suicide attempts and completed suicide. The incidence of NSSI among adolescents in China is 27.4%. Therefore， it is critical to address NSSI and prevent its progression into more severe mental health conditions.ObjectiveTo systematically evaluate the psychological experiences and needs of adolescents with NSSI behavior， so as to provide references for formulating targeted intervention strategies for this demographic.MethodsA computer search was conducted across a total of eleven databases， including Cochrane Library， Embase， PubMed， PsycINFO， Web of Science， CINAHL， Medline， CNKI， Wanfang， VIP and CBM， to gather qualitative research on the psychological experiences and needs of adolescents with NSSI behavior. The search extended from the establishment of these databases up to March， 2023. The Australian Joanna Briggs Institute （JBI） qualitative research quality evaluation tools were used to evaluate the included literature， and a Meta-synthesis method was used to integrate the results.ResultsA total of 11 studies were included， yielding 46 research findings. Similar findings were consolidated into 10 new categories， ultimately resulting in 5 synthesized outcomes， including interpersonal conflict， academic pressure and self-reflective struggles， self-injurious behaviors intertwined with inner emotions， the power of love to overcome helplessness， and adjustment and seeking positive coping strategies.ConclusionAdolescents often have experienced negative life events before NSSI behaviors， with notable conflicts in interpersonal relationships， academic pressures and family education. Following NSSI behavior， they undergo various psychological experiences， such as transient feelings of relief， dependence and guilt. In addition， they crave guidance and assistance from professionals to cope with negative emotions.［Funded by Social Psychological Service and Crisis Intervention in 2022 （number， LZXL-202213）］

Keywords

• non-suicidal self-injury
• adolescents
• psychological experience
• meta-synthesis
• qualitative research