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Predictors of Deliberate Self-harm Among University Students

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International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Young people are suffering increased psychological disturbances that deteriorate and threaten their integrity. Harming self is one significant factor to emphasize. The purpose of this study was to assess the psychological predictors of deliberate self-harm controlling for socio-demographic and life style factors among university students in Jordan. A cross-sectional, correctional design was used to collect data from 374 university students in Jordan. Self-reported format was used to collect data. The majority of students (> 60%) thought of harming self, almost one-third had moderate to severe depression, 50% suffering moderate to high level of anxiety, and 67% (n = 251) of them have a likelihood to have social anxiety. Using six-step multiple hierarchical regression analysis, social anxiety (social phobia) was the only significant predictor of deliberate self-harm (Beta = .311, p < .001), while depression and anxiety were associated weakly and not found to be significant predictors (p >.05). No differences found in deliberate self-harm in relation to socio-demographic and life style factors except for alcohol use. University students are psychologically overwhelmed, and self-harm leading to threat of life was observed. Academics, administrators, and mental health professionals are sharing responsibilities towards maintaining mental wellbeing of university students and minimize deliberate self-harm.

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Acknowledgements

The study has been accomplished during a sabbatical leave at the University of Jordan.

Funding

This study was funded by the University of Jordan (grant # 37/2018-2019).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Nursing, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan

    Ayman M. Hamdan-Mansour

  2. Faculty of Nursing, Al-Ahliyya Amman University, Amman, Jordan

    Abeer A. Alzayyat

  3. Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Hashemite University, Zarqa, Jordan

    Shaher H. Hamaideh

  4. School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan

    Mohammad-Qassam B. Rafaiah, Omar L. Al Jammal & Laith A. Hamdan-Mansour

Authors
  1. Ayman M. Hamdan-Mansour
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  2. Abeer A. Alzayyat
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  3. Shaher H. Hamaideh
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  4. Mohammad-Qassam B. Rafaiah
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  5. Omar L. Al Jammal
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  6. Laith A. Hamdan-Mansour
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ayman M. Hamdan-Mansour.

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Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that they do not have any interests that could constitute a real, potential or apparent conflict of interest with respect to their involvement in the publication. The authors also declare that they do not have any financial or other relations (e.g. directorship, consultancy or speaker fee) with companies, trade associations, unions or groups (including civic associations and public interest groups) that may gain or lose financially from the results or conclusions in the study. Sources of funding are acknowledged.

Ethical Approval

All procedures performed in this study involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of University’s Research Ethics Board and with the 1975 Helsinki Declaration.

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Hamdan-Mansour, A.M., Alzayyat, A.A., Hamaideh, S.H. et al. Predictors of Deliberate Self-harm Among University Students. Int J Ment Health Addiction 20, 2993–3005 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-021-00561-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-021-00561-8

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