Relationship of non-suicidal self-injury behaviors with mental pain in soldiers: The Mediating Role of Self-Compassion

Non-suicidal self-harm behaviors are prevalent in military settings, especially among soldiers, and are a major mental health concern. Thus, the aim of the current study was to examine the mediating role of self-compassion in the relationship of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) with mental pain.

The research method was descriptive-correlational through structural equation modeling. The study population consisted of all soldiers, referring to the psychiatric and psychology section of a military hospital in Tehran, Iran in 2018-2019. 207 soldiers were selected by convenience sampling from this population. Participants completed the questionnaire of Deliberate Self-Harm and scales of mental pain and self-compassion. Data was analyzed via Pearson correlation coefficient and the path analysis of structural equation modeling with using SPSS-20 and Lisrel-8.80.

NNSI have significant positive correlations with mental pain (r=0.30; p<0.001), and self-compassion (r=-0.31; p<0.001). There was a significant negative relationship between self-compassion and mental pain (r=-0.56; p<0.001). Moreover, the results of path analysis showed that self-compassion played a mediating role in the relationship of NSSI with mental pain.

Based on the current findings, self-compassion can serve as a protective factor against mental pain. Thus, this factor can be considered in the formulation of prevention and treatment programs for non-suicidal self-injury behaviors in soldiers.