Association between nonsuicidal self-injury and borderline personality features in early-adolescent students: a cross-sectional study
Abstract
Background: Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a disabling mental health condition marked by affective, cognitive, behavioral, and interpersonal instability. Borderline personality features (BPF) often emerge during adolescence and can predict later BPD. Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) – the deliberate, direct infliction of tissue damage without suicidal intent – has shown a strong association with BPF. This study examined the relationship between NSSI and BPF in early-adolescent students. Methods: In this cross-sectional survey, 244 first-cycle high-school students in Urmia, Iran, were recruited; 228 provided complete data. After obtaining informed consent, participants completed the BPF Scale for Children (BPFS-C) and the Inventory of Statements About Self-Injury (ISAS). Data were analyzed using SPSS 24 with correlation and logistic regression models. Results: The mean BPFS-C score was 51.82 (boys = 51.41, girls = 54.56). Overall, 31.1% of participants reported at least one lifetime episode of NSSI. Cutting/scratching (26.7%), hair-pulling (14.0%), and hitting oneself (11.2%) were the most common methods. Emotion regulation was the most frequently endorsed function of NSSI (52.1%). Total BPF scores correlated positively with NSSI severity (r = 0.36, P < 0.05) and explained roughly 48% of its variance, with the self-destructive subscale contributing the greatest unique variance (sr2 = 0.31). Logistic regression indicated that a one-standard-deviation increase in…
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