An examination of the variations in self-harming behavior based on childhood traumas, emotion regulation, and cognitive flexibility levels

The aim of this study is to examine the effects of childhood traumas, emotional regulation, and cognitive flexibility levels on self-harming behavior in adolescents. The study investigates whether these three variables differ significantly according to self-harming behavior levels. A sample group consisting of individuals with diverse demographic characteristics was administered the Demographic Information Form developed by the researcher, the Self-Harming Behavior Assessment Inventory, the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire for Adolescents, and the Cognitive Flexibility Inventory. The data obtained were analyzed using non-parametric statistical methods; Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests were used to determine the differences between variables. The findings revealed that adolescents with higher levels of childhood trauma and lower levels of emotional regulation and cognitive flexibility scored higher on several sub-dimensions of the self-harming behavior inventory. The results provide important insights into the underlying psychological processes of self-harming behavior and contribute to the development of preventive practices in the field.