Investigation of the relationship between non-suicidal self-injury in adolescents and oxtr-rs53576, rs2254298 and cd38-rs3796863 gene polymorphisms

In our study, we aimed to examine the relationship between non-suicidal self injury in adolescents and the Oxytocin Reseptor rs53576, rs2254298 and Cluster of Differentiation 38 rs3796863 polymorphisms. Genotype distributions were compared between adolescents with non-suicidal self injury, a clinical control group with similar psychiatric diagnoses but without such behavior, and healthy controls. In addition, the interaction of alexithymia, impulsivity, attachment styles, and resilience with these genetic variants and their associations with non- suicidal self injury were evaluated. Our sample consisted of 50 adolescents aged 12–18 with non-suicidal self injury, 46 clinical controls, and 53 healthy controls, all participants being assessed through psychiatric evaluation. The clinical groups completed the Sociodemographic Data Form, Toronto Alexithymia Scale, Barratt Impulsiveness Scale–Short Form, Child and Youth Resilience Measure–12, Relationship Scales Questionnaire and the Self-Injury Assessment Inventory. Genotyping was performed on DNA samples using the real-time polymerase chain reaction method. No significant relationship was found between non-suicidal self injury and polymorphisms. However, for the rs3796863 polymorphism, the genotype distribution of the healthy group differed from the others. No associations were observed between polymorphisms and alexithymia, impulsivity, attachment or resilience. The self-injury group had higher levels of alexithymia, impulsivity, fearful attachment and lower resilience scores. Disrupted family structure, low academic achievement and low resilience were identified as risk factors for non- suicidal self injury. Our findings suggest that rs3796863 polymorphism may play a role in the development of psychiatric disorders however, in adolescents with such disorders, the emergence of self- injurious behavior appears to be determined more by factors such as alexithymia, resilience, attachment styles and impulsivity than by genetic predisposition. Adolescents with a history of family disruption, poor academic performance and low resilience should be closely monitored.