A Comparative Study of Nonsuicidal Self-Injury, Hopelessness and Meaning in Life Before and After COVID-19 in Adolescents.

INTRODUCTION: Recent research shows that there has been a decrease in meaning in life and an increase in hopelessness and nonsuicidal self-injury in adolescents after the pandemic. The present study aims to address three objectives: (1) to compare the frequency, types and functions of nonsuicidal self-injury before and after the pandemic, (2) to explore the relationship between meaning in life, hopelessness and nonsuicidal self-injury and (3) to study differences in nonsuicidal self-injury, meaning in life and hopelessness levels before and following the pandemic. METHODS: This research was conducted in a community sample of N = 3800 Spanish participants, including n = 1733 from the pre-pandemic period and n = 2067 from the post-pandemic period. Ages ranged between 11 and 19, and the average age was 14.87 (SD = 1.58). The sample had an equal distribution by gender, with 50.5% females (n = 1919) and 49.5% males (n = 1881). Standardized tests such as ISAS-II, BHS and PIL-10 were used, as well as descriptive statistics, Spearman correlations and non-parametric ANCOVAs of Quade controlling for age and gender to compare pre- and post-pandemic variables. RESULTS: The results revealed a significant increase in the number of functions of nonsuicidal self-injury, in the methods employed and in the levels of hopelessness, along with a notable decrease in meaning in life after the pandemic. However, the estimated prevalence of pre- and post-pandemic nonsuicidal self-injury remained similar. The estimated lifetime prevalence of NSSI was 24.9% (n = 432) before the pandemic and 19.4% (n = 401) after the pandemic. A positive correlation between nonsuicidal self-injury and hopelessness and a negative correlation with meaning in life were observed. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that the pandemic influenced the mental health of young Spaniards and suggest it may be useful to incorporate meaning-centred interventions in protocols to address nonsuicidal self-injury and hopelessness in adolescent populations.