Non-suicidal self-injury in the context of COVID-19: The importance of psychosocial factors for young females

• In Event: Poster Session 02
  In Poster Session: PS 02 Topic - Solicited Content: COVID-19 Related

Abstract

Non-suicidal self injury (NSSI) behaviors are often thought to be initiated to mitigate feelings of emotional or psychiatric distress and are indicative of an increased risk for suicide. For teen and young adults, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a loss of physical and social contact with friends and peers in school and extracurricular activities and increased time spent at home. In light of the changes, and, presumably, stress, brought on by the pandemic, the primary aim was to determine if social support from friends or family members might be protective against NSSI engagement in young females, and explored other relevant factors.

Our sample consisted of 106 females who were part of ongoing studies before COVID-19 quarantine at the onset of state-mandated quarantine in Minnesota (March 28, 2020). The average age was 16.65 (range 12-25). 36 participants had no lifetime history of NSSI, 43 had lifetime history of NSSI but did not report self-injuring during quarantine (before-only NSSI), and 27 had lifetime history of NSSI and reported self-injuring during quarantine (before+during NSSI). Lifetime history of NSSI was determined through clinical interview and self-report measures. Participants and their parents were asked to complete self-report surveys in June, July, and August of 2020. These surveys measured NSSI and social support to address the primary study objectives. Loneliness, perceived stress, family conflict, emotion regulation abilities and the impact of COVID-19 were also explored. T-tests were run to compare scores on these measures between groups.

Of critical interest, before+during NSSI participants reported lower family support (t=2.36, p=0.02) but equivalent peer support (t=-1.15, p=0.25) compared to the before-only group. The before+during group also reported increased feelings of loneliness (t=2.61, p=0.01) and increased perceived stress ratings (t=2.67, p=0.01), as compared to the before-only NSSI group. No group differences were found for family conflict (t=0.93, p=0.35), emotion regulation ability (t=1.62, p=0.11), or the impact of COVID on their daily lives (t=-0.35, p=0.73).

Compared to the control group, both groups of participants with NSSI (before-only NSSI and before+during NSSI) rated lower family support (t=3.05, p=0.01) and friend support (t=2.41, p=0.2). They also reported increased perceived stress (t=-3.79, p=0.00), increased loneliness (t=-3.16, p=0.00), and lower emotion regulation abilities (t=-3.79, p=0.00); but no differences for family conflict (t=-1.55, p=0.12) and impact of COVID-19 (t=-0.86, p=0.39).

These findings indicate that in the context of major lifestyle changes caused by the COVID-19 quarantine, the presence of familial support, but not friend support, may be a protective factor for engaging in NSSI. This is notable as adolescence is typically marked by increased reliance on social and peer support, indicating that quarantine has changed the way young females derive support to manage their distress.

Authors

• Katherine Ann Carosella, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
  Presenting Author

• Thanharat Silamongkol, University of Minnesota
  Non-Presenting Author

• Nikita Tavares, University of Minnesota
  Non-Presenting Author

• Andrea Wiglesworth, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
  Non-Presenting Author

• Kathryn Cullen, University of Minnesota
  Non-Presenting Author

• Bonnie Klimes-Dougan, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
  Non-Presenting Author