Longitudinal Relationships Among Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms, Non-Suicidal Self-Injury Severity, and Suicidality in Korean Adolescents: A Cross-Lagged Panel Analysis

This study explored the longitudinal relationships among post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) severity, and suicidality in at-risk Korean adolescents. Using a two-wave dataset (Wave 1: March-June 2022; Wave 2: August 2022-January 2023), a cross-lagged panel model was employed to investigate bidirectional and mediating pathways among these variables. The sample consisted of 203 adolescents with histories of both traumatic experiences and NSSI. Results indicated that PTSD symptoms significantly predicted increases in both NSSI severity and suicidality over time. Additionally, earlier suicidality predicted heightened PTSD symptoms at a later time point, suggesting a cyclical and reciprocal relationship among trauma-related symptoms and self-destructive behaviors. These findings highlight the complex interplay between PTSD, NSSI, and suicidality in adolescents and underscore the need for integrated intervention approaches.