Predicting the tendency to self - harm based on lack of hedonism mediated by executive functions In adolescents

Hadi Rajabi Zanjani; Mohammad Abdolmaleki; Emad Pasandideh

doi:10.63053/ijhes.197

Authors

Hadi Rajabi Zanjani Department of Psychology, Islamic Azad University, Karaj Branch, Karaj, Iran.
Mohammad Abdolmaleki Department of Psychology, Islamic Azad University, Karaj Branch, Karaj, Iran
Emad Pasandideh Department of Psychology, Islamic Azad University, Karaj Branch, Karaj, Iran.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.63053/ijhes.197

Keywords:

Non-suicidal self-harm, anhedonia, executive functions, adolescence,

Abstract

Introduction: Non-suicidal self-harm is a major public health concern in adolescence. Anhedonia, as a potential risk factor, can lead adolescents to self-harm behaviors by weakening the ability to experience pleasure. However, the exact mechanism of this relationship is not fully understood. This study aimed to investigate the mediating role of executive functions in the relationship between anhedonia and self-harm tendencies in adolescents.

Methods: This was a descriptive-correlational study using path analysis. The statistical population included high school adolescents in Karaj in the academic year 2024-2025. Using cluster random sampling, 400 adolescents (200 boys and 200 girls) were selected and completed the self-harm tendency (NSI-Q), anhedonia (SHAPS), and executive functions (BRIEF-SR) questionnaires. The data were analyzed using SPSS-26 and Smart-PLS 3 software using path analysis and the bootstrap method.

Findings: The findings showed that anhedonia had a direct and positive effect on self-harm tendencies (β = 0.28, p < 0.01). Anhedonia also had a direct and negative effect on executive functions (β = -0.35, p < 0.01), and executive functions also showed a direct and negative effect on self-harm tendencies (β = -0.32, p < 0.01). In addition, the results of the path analysis confirmed the significant mediating role of executive functions in the relationship between anhedonia and self-harm tendencies (β = -0.16, p < 0.01). The model fit indices also indicated the favorable fit of the proposed model.

Conclusion: The results show that anhedonia can predict the tendency to self-harm in adolescents, both directly and indirectly, through the weakening of executive functions. These findings emphasize the importance of designing integrated intervention programs that focus on both reducing anhedonia and strengthening executive functions as a practical step towards reducing the tendency to self-harm in adolescents.

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