Associations between non-suicidal self-injury and negative romantic relationship life events in male justice-involved adolescents

BACKGROUND: In the current study we investigated impulsivity and negative life events in relation to non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) in correctional settings. METHODS: A total of 141 male justice-involved juveniles participated in our cross-sectional study, aged between 14 and 21 years old (M = 17.75; SD = 1.38). Data collection took place in correctional institutions in Hungary. A binary logistic regression was conducted to investigate possible associations between NSSI, impulsivity and negative life events. RESULTS: Lifetime prevalence of NSSI was 53.9% (N = 76). In a binary logistic regression model, only negative romantic relationship events were significantly associated with the risk of current NSSI (OR = 1.29; 95% CI = [1.06–1.56]). Other types of negative life events (family-related, friendship-related), impulsivity, age and conviction status did not have a significant role in the model. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that juvenile offenders should receive additional support to manage stress that is associated with negative life events, especially problems in romantic relationships. It is essential to help young inmates to find an adaptive way of reducing stress caused by negative relationship life events. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12888-021-03408-7.