risk factors for self-mutilation behaviors in adolescents: an integrative review

Adolescence is characterized by physical, cognitive, emotional, social, and behavioral changes capable of resulting in the development of a healthy and autonomous individual, as well as contributing to self-injurious behavior. this review aimed to analyze the 11 available papers on risk factors for self-mutilation in adolescents. integrative review performed in medline and lilacs databases using primary studies published between 2018 and 2023, in portuguese, english, and spanish with the descriptors “self-destructive behavior”; adolescent; and “risk factors” combined with the boolean operator and. after analyzing the data, two main themes emerged. the first theme, referred to as intrapersonal risk factors, encompassed a range of categories including depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, substance/alcohol abuse, disruptive, impulse and conduct control disorders, cyclothymic-hypersensitive temperament, impulsivity, avoidance/coping-focused on affect, and emotional dysregulation. the second theme, labeled as interpersonal risk factors, consisted of categories such as bullying, parental neglect, parental psychopathology, social exclusion, peers with people with self-destructive behavior, hetero-aggressiveness, and sexual and gender minority populations. the findings of this review highlight the importance of increased awareness, early detection, and targeted interventions for self-mutilation. this study lays the ground for future research and interventions in mental health. future studies could further explore psychological factors, societal influences, effective treatments, and prevention methods for self-mutilation. by expanding upon current knowledge, clinicians and researchers can better support individuals struggling with self-harm, leading to improved outcomes and reduced harm.  adolescence is characterized by physical, cognitive, emotional, social, and behavioral changes capable of resulting in the development of a healthy and autonomous individual, as well as contributing to self-injurious behavior. this review aimed to analyze the 11 available papers on risk factors for self-mutilation in adolescents. integrative review performed in medline and lilacs databases using primary studies published between 2018 and 2023, in portuguese, english, and spanish with the descriptors “self-destructive behavior”; adolescent; and “risk factors” combined with the boolean operator and. after analyzing the data, two main themes emerged. the first theme, referred to as intrapersonal risk factors, encompassed a range of categories including depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, substance/alcohol abuse, disruptive, impulse and conduct control disorders, cyclothymic-hypersensitive temperament, impulsivity, avoidance/coping-focused on affect, and emotional dysregulation. the second theme, labeled as interpersonal risk factors, consisted of categories such as bullying, parental neglect, parental psychopathology, social exclusion, peers with people with self-destructive behavior, hetero-aggressiveness, and sexual and gender minority populations. the findings of this review highlight the importance of increased awareness, early detection, and targeted interventions for self-mutilation. this study lays the ground for future research and interventions in mental health. future studies could further explore psychological factors, societal influences, effective treatments, and prevention methods for self-mutilation. by expanding upon current knowledge, clinicians and researchers can better support individuals struggling with self-harm, leading to improved outcomes and reduced harm.