Author/Authors :
Nemati, Hossein Department of Community Health Nursing - School of Nursing & Midwifery - Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran , Sahebihagh, Mohammad Hasan Department of Community Health Nursing - School of Nursing & Midwifery - Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran , Mahmoodi, Mahbobeh Department of Community Health Nursing - School of Nursing & Midwifery - Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran , Ghiasi, Akbar HEB School of Business and Administration - University of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio, TX, USA , Ebrahimi, Hossein Department of Psychiatric Nursing - School of Nursing & Midwifery - Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran , Barzanjeh Atri, Shirin Department of Community Health Nursing - School of Nursing & Midwifery - Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran , Mohammadpoorasl, Asghar Research Center of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences - Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
Abstract :
Background: Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) has become one of the serious public health concerns
among adolescents. Factors like family and social environment of adolescents may be important
determinants of the NSSI. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between family psychological
function and perceived social support with the NSSI experience among adolescents.
Study design: A cross-sectional study.
Methods: Overall, 4216 high school students (15-18 yr old) of Tabriz City, northwestern Iran were
selected using multi-stage cluster random sampling method in October and November 2017. Participants
completed survey including demographic characteristics, NSSI status, Iranian family psychological
function, and perceived social support. After six months, NSSI status was reassessed. The data were
analyzed using logistic regression model.
Results: 8.5% of the students had NSSI experience. In addition, the weak family psychological function
increased the odds of experiencing the NSSI by 13 times compared to the strong psychological function
(OR = 13.15, 95% CI: 7.19, 23.80). Besides, the low level of perceived social support increased the odds
of experiencing the NSSI by about 7 times compared to the high perception of social support (OR= 6.67,
95% CI: 4.01, 11.11).
Conclusion: Low levels of psychological functioning of the families and perception of social support
significantly can increase the odds of experiencing the NSSI among adolescents. Therefore, special
attention should be paid to these factors in the development of relevant preventive programs in
adolescence period.
Keywords :
Adolescent , Social support , Family , Non-suicidal self-injury