Exploring how core beliefs shape risky self-injury in teens: the bridge of emotional control challenges

Background: Teen years represent a pivotal phase of growth, fraught with distinct risks like tendencies toward self-injurious actions. Our research explored the straightforward connection between core life principles and such behaviors among teens, while probing how challenges in managing feelings act as an intermediary in this dynamic. Methods: Employing a correlative design with structural equation modeling, we targeted Tehran high schoolers aged 14–18 from the 2023–2024 school term. Through multi-phase clustered random selection, 356 youths joined, filling out tools like the Self-Harm Inventory, abbreviated Portrait Values Questionnaire, and compact Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale. We crunched numbers via SPSS 27.0 and AMOS. Results: The proposed framework aligned well with real-world findings. As predicted, stronger life principles linked inversely to self-injury (β= 0.11, P=0.044). Emotional control issues tied positively to these behaviors (β=0.37, P=0.001). Notably, feeling management woes bridged part of the gap between principles and self-injury (β=-0.06, P=0.007). Conclusion: This study highlights that personal values, emphasizing meaning, purpose, and prosocial behaviors (e.g., benevolence, universalism), protect against adolescent self-harm by enhancing emotion regulation. Integrating values-based interventions and emotion regulation training into prevention programs is recommended for clinicians and educators to reduce self-harm risks effectively.