Providing a Structural Model of the Relationships Between Self-Harming Behaviors and Family Functioning Mediated by Affective Control in Adolescent Girls 15 to 18 Years Old Living in Fooman City, Iran

Rapid emotional, physical, and social changes of adolescence are critical factors in building and establishing one’s personality. Most adolescents are challenged by family, community, and relatives. These pressures may push adolescents toward risky behaviors in the decision–making phase. One of the most critical issues in this period is self–harming behaviors. These behaviors are often associated with emotional problems. Another variable with its potential role as a mediating variable on deliberate self–harming behaviors was affective control, meaning a proper skill on how and where to recognize and express emotions properly. The present study aimed to establish a relationship model of self–harming behaviors and family functioning, considering the mediating role of affective control in 15–18 years old girls living in Fooman City, Iran.

The current research employed an analytical–correlational design using the structural equation modeling method. The statistical population included all female senior students (n=1340 according to the Education Department of Fooman) studying in the secondary high school of Fooman in the academic year 2018–2019. The inclusion criteria were as follows: being 15 to 18 years old, willing to participate in research, and having non–divorced parents. The estimated number of samples for the present study was 303. Considering the possible dropout, 393 subjects were selected by multi–stage clusters. The study data were collected via the Self–Harm Inventory (Sansone et al., 1998), Affective Control Scale (Williams et al., 1997), and Family Assessment Device (Epstein et al., 1983). Descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation) and inferential statistics (structural equation modeling) were performed in SPSS version 24 and AMOS version 24 software. The significance level of the tests was considered 0.01.

In the path from family functioning to affective control, the total standard effect coefficient (p=0.001, β=0.751) and the direct standard effect coefficient (p=0.001, β=0.751), in the path from family functioning to self–harming behaviors, the total standard effect coefficient (p=0.002, β=0.522), direct standard effect coefficient (p=0.001, β=0.734), and indirect effect coefficient (p=0.010, β=–0.212) and in the path of affective control to self–harming behaviors, the total standard effect coefficient (p=0.013, β=–0.283) and the direct standard effect coefficient (p=0.015, β=0.283) were estimated. In addition, according to the indicators of the proposed research model, the collected data had an acceptable fit (CFI=0.975, GFI=0.971, AGFI=0.957, TLI=0.968, IFI=0.975, NFI=0.908, RMSEA=0.029).

According to the study results, affective control mediates the relationship between family functioning and self–harming behaviors in adolescent girls.