The Relationship Between Anxiety, Socio-Psychological Adaptation, and Social Support in Adolescent Girls with Non-Suicidal Self-Injury

Background: Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) in adolescents is a significant clinical and social concern, particularly among girls. It is associated with anxiety, maladaptation, and lack of social support. Despite increasing research attention, the interplay of these factors in clinical samples in Russia remains insufficiently explored.

Objective. To analyze the relationships between anxiety levels, socio-psychological adaptation, perceived social support, and clinical characteristics in adolescent girls with NSSI in order to identify key psychological and social factors associated with this behavior.

Patients and Methods: A crosssectional study with prospective data collection was conducted. The sample included 186 girls aged 12–17 years with confirmed NSSI episodes, undergoing inpatient treatment. Psychometric tools: Multidimensional Assessment of Child Anxiety (MODT), Socio-Psychological Adaptation Scale (SPA), Child and Adolescent Social Support Scale (CASSS). Statistical analysis included descriptive methods, Mann-Whitney U-test, and Spearman’s correlation.

Results: Participants demonstrated high anxiety levels (M = 5.12 on MODT), particularly in situations of social evaluation (M = 5.41) and self-expression (M = 5.5). Adaptation deficits (SPA integral score: M = 59.28) correlated with anxiety (r = –0.74). Low parental (M = 50.02) and teacher support (M = 47.01) were more pronounced in affective disorders (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: The results confirm the association between anxiety and a lack of social support with NSSI in adolescent girls. A comprehensive approach is recommended, including psychotherapy, family counseling, and school-based prevention programs.

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