Adolescents who self-injure are more likely to exhibit negative coping mechanisms, according to a new study out of the University of Georgia.
Amanda Giordana, lead author of the study and an associate professor in the Mary Frances Early College of Education, surveyed 350 adolescents across the United States with a history of non-suicidal self injury- the act of intentionally harming one’s body without intending to end one’s life.
She found that participants who relied on self-injury to manage psychological pain were 61% more likely to act out and 73% more likely to ruminate or focus on negative emotions when compared to their non-self-injuring counterparts.
Both groups sought at social support at a similar rate, which to Giordano is a sign that more education is needed to prepare teachers, parents and caregivers to respond effectively to adolescents seeking support.