Exploring the Complex Relationship Between Childhood Trauma and Self-Harm

Journal of Aggression Maltreatment & Trauma, vol. 33, pp. 685–703

Abstract

Previous research has linked self-harm to adverse childhood experiences (i.e. abuse and neglect). Despite the extensive literature on self-harm, it remains of high importance to examine psychological predictors of repetitive self-harming behaviors in those who report childhood trauma. This study explored the role of maladaptive emotion regulation strategies, dissociation proneness, and borderline personality (BP) features. An international sample with n = 374 participants (N = 287, 77%, reporting intentional use of self-harm), was recruited online via relevant mental health platforms and research sites. Within an anonymous survey, participants completed the Self-harm Inventory, Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, Dissociative Experience Scale, Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire, and Personality Assessment Inventory-Borderline Personality Features Scale. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to explore direct and indirect effects. Self-harm was positively correlated to severity of childhood trauma, maladaptive emotion regulation strategies, dissociation, and BP features. In the path-analytical model, independent indirect effects of childhood trauma severity via self-blame, catastrophizing, dissociation, as well as BP features on self-harm were found. Maladaptive emotion regulation, dissociation proneness, and BP features all seem to be important intermediary agents in the close association between childhood trauma and self-harm.

Authors 3

1. Charlotte C. van Schie Aachen Institute of Psychology Department of Clinical Psychology

   Leiden University · University of Wollongong

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Psychology, Department of Clinical Psychology, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands

   Project Air, University of Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia

2. Roisin A.V. Gallagher Aachen Institute of Psychology Department of Clinical Psychology

   Leiden University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Psychology, Department of Clinical Psychology, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands

3. Annegret Krause-Utz corresponding Aachen Institute of Psychology Department of Clinical Psychology

   Leiden University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Psychology, Department of Clinical Psychology, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands