Shenakht Journal of Psychology & Psychiatry

Introduction: Self-harm behaviors during adolescence represent a growing public health concern, with increasing prevalence worldwide. Understanding the factors that contribute to these behaviors is therefore of critical importance.
Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate the mediating role of psychological resilience between child maltreatment and non-suicidal self-harm in adolescents.
Method: The present study employed a correlational design using path analysis. The statistical population comprised all students enrolled in the second year of high school in Sardasht during the 2024–2025 academic year. A sample of 330 students was selected through cluster sampling, based on the population size and minimum required sample recommendations. The study instruments included the Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale, the Self-Injurious Behaviors and Functions Questionnaire, and the short form of the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ). Pearson correlation coefficient and path analysis using SPSS-25 and AMOS-25 were used to analyze the data.
Results: The findings showed that childhood maladjustment is positively correlated with non-suicidal self-harm (P<0.05). Childhood maladjustment had significant indirect predictive effects on non-suicidal self-harm through psychological resilience (β=0.157, P<0.001).
Conclusion: The findings highlight the important mediating role of resilience in the relationship between childhood maladjustment and non-suicidal self-harm. Specifically, even in the presence of adverse childhood experiences, adolescents who develop and strengthen resilience are better able to regulate their emotions and are less likely to engage in self-harming behaviors.