126 - JOINT TRAJECTORIES OF NONSUICIDAL SELF-INJURY AND AGGRESSION AMONG ADOLESCENTS: THE ROLE OF PARENT-CHILD CONFLICTS AND IMPULSIVITY

Session: P_D08S001 - Poster Session 1 - Division 8
AUTHORS:
Wang Yumeng (Institute of Developmental Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Beijing Normal University ~ Beijing ~ China) , Liang Yiting (Institute of Developmental Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Beijing Normal University ~ Beijing ~ China) , Li Jinwen (Institute of Developmental Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Beijing Normal University ~ Beijing ~ China) , Gao Yemiao (Institute of Developmental Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Beijing Normal University ~ Beijing ~ China) , Tian Mingyangjia (Institute of Developmental Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Beijing Normal University ~ Beijing ~ China) , Liu Xia (Institute of Developmental Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Beijing Normal University ~ Beijing ~ China)
Abstract text:
Background: Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) and aggression show a marked increase during adolescence, particularly amid the COVID-19 pandemic. However, few studies have examined the comorbidity of these harmful behaviors (i.e., dual harm). Given the severe consequences of dual harm for adolescents, this study utilized a longitudinal design to identify heterogeneous co-developmental patterns of NSSI and aggression. Within a developmental psychopathology framework, it further investigated the contributions of parent-child conflict and impulsivity to shaping these trajectories.
Methods: A total of 2813 adolescents (Mage = 13.09 ± 0.83 years at T1; 56.0% male) participated in a three-wave study conducted over two years. The unconditional Parallel-Process Latent Class Growth Model (PP-LCGM) was used to identify heterogeneous co-developmental trajectories of NSSI and aggression. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was employed to determine the factors predicting trajectory membership.
Results: Four latent groups were identified: congruent-low, co-occurring high, co-occurring increasing, and aggression only. Higher levels of parent-child conflict and impulsivity at T1 served as risk factors for the dual harm groups (co-occurring increasing and co-occurring high), especially co-occurring high group. Greater increases in parent-child conflict distinguished dual harm groups from the aggression only group. Greater increases in impulsivity served as a risk factor for the co-occurring increasing group.
Conclusions: The findings reveal the co-developmental nature of NSSI and aggression and underscore the need for continued monitoring of adolescents with high levels or sudden increases in parent-child conflict and impulsivity to prevent or ameliorate dual harm.