Prediction of self-injurious behaviors based on parent-child relationship and emotional regulation in adolescents

Adolescence is an important period of human development that is accompanied by biological-neurological, hormonal, physiological and social changes. During this period, teenagers deal with many stressful factors. The present study was conducted with the aim of predicting self-injurious behaviors based on parent-child relationship and emotional regulation in adolescents.

The present study method was descriptive-correlation. The statistical population of this research was formed by students of the second period of high school in Tehran in the academic year of 2020-21. The sample size was estimated to be 280 people based on Kramer's method and they were selected by cluster random method. The sample subjects completed three questionnaires: Deliberate Self-Injury (DSHI), Parent-Child Relationship Assessment (PCRS) and Cognitive Regulation of Emotion (CERQ). Multiple regression analysis was used to analyze the data.

It was indicated that father/child relationship negatively and significantly predicts self-injurious behaviors (P<0.001). Adaptive strategies of cognitive regulation of emotion negatively and non-adaptive strategies of cognitive regulation of emotion positively and significantly predict self-injury behaviors (P<0.001).

Based on the results, it can be concluded that in order to prevent and control the self-injurious behaviors of teenagers, it is necessary to pay attention to the parent-child relationship and emotional regulation.