Perduring COVID-19 pandemic, perceived well-being, and non-suicidal self-injury behaviors (NSSI) in emerging adults

Authors

  • Loredana Benedetto Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6957-2224
  • Claudia Vicentino Department of Clinical and Experimental Psychology, University of Messina, Messina
  • Caterina Merulla Department of Clinical and Experimental Psychology, University of Messina, Messina
  • Massimo Ingrassia Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0407-4480

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.13129/2282-1619/mjcp-3267

Keywords:

Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), Psychological well-being, Emotion dysregulation, Emerging adults, COVID-19.

Abstract

Introduction. Covid-19 pandemic negatively influenced daily life and psychological well-being on global population. Since conditions of emotional distress appear to underlie non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) episodes, particularly for individuals with difficulties in emotion regulation, the study explored the relationship between low psychological well-being and the occurrence of NSSI during COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods. The study involved two community samples of Italian young adults (18-30 y.o.) recruited in post-lockdown (T1, N=159) or perduring COVID-19 period (T2, N=143). Participants completed online self-report questionnaires on reported NSSI episodes (DSHI), psychological well-being (PWB), and emotion dysregulation (DERS).

Results. NSSI occurrence resulted higher in T1 (31.4%) than in T2 period (17.5%). No differences emerged in perceived well-being between T1 and T2, and participants with NSSI (vs. without) reported lower psychological well-being and more emotion dysregulation.

Conclusion. Results are discussed according to an eudaimonic perspective that places self-realization and positive functioning as core characteristics of individual’s well-being and resilience to stressful life circumstances.

Author Biography

  • Loredana Benedetto, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina
    Loredana Benedetto, PhD, is Associate professor of Developmental and Educational Psychology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina (Italy). She teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in the areas of typical and atypical development, parent-child relationships, educational psychology, and family-based interventions. Her main research interests are:  parenting and parenting assessment,  parental cognition;  metacognition and childhood disorders;  developmental disabilities, early interventions and family adjustment; pediatric palliative care and family resilience; parent education; digital parenting and internet problematic use.

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29-04-2022

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