THE IMPACT OF CHILD MALTREATMENT ON SELF-INJURY IN DEPRESSED ADOLESCENTS: THE MODERATING ROLE OF COPING STYLES

Background: Child maltreatment is a significant risk factor for psychological issues such as depression and self-injurious behaviors (SIB), especially in adolescents. This study examines the relationship between child maltreatment, coping styles, and self-injury among depressed Pakistani adolescents, and explores the moderating role of coping styles in this relationship. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 300 Pakistani adolescents aged 12 to 18 years, using self-reported measures. The Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) assessed maltreatment, the Brief COPE Inventory measured coping styles, and the Deliberate Self-Harm Inventory (DSHI) evaluated self-injurious behaviors. Data were analyzed using logistic regression, independent t-tests, and moderation analysis to test the hypotheses. Results: Adolescents with a history of child maltreatment were 3.5 times more likely to engage in self-injury compared to those without maltreatment (p < .001). Maladaptive coping styles were significantly associated with higher rates of self-injury (60%) compared to adaptive coping styles (25%, p < .001). Furthermore, coping styles moderated the relationship between maltreatment and self-injury; adolescents with a history of maltreatment who used adaptive coping strategies were significantly less likely to engage in self-injury (40%) compared to those who used maladaptive strategies (70%, p < .001). Conclusion: The study highlights the critical role of coping styles in moderating the impact of child maltreatment on self-injurious behaviors. Adolescents with maltreatment histories who utilize adaptive coping mechanisms are at a lower risk of self-injury. These findings underscore the need for interventions that focus on developing adaptive coping skills and emotional regulation strategies, particularly for at-risk populations in cultural contexts like Pakistan, where mental health stigma prevails. Future research should consider longitudinal studies to further explore these relationships.