Electrophysiological characteristics in adolescents with non-suicidal self-injury: an event-related potential study and source analysis

IntroductionNon-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a serious concern in adolescents and is associated with impairments in impulsivity and social functioning. However, the underlying neural mechanisms remain unclear. This study aimed to examine inhibitory control and its association with depressive sympt...

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Main Authors: Sung-Hoon Yoon, Ji Sun Kim, Hyeon-Ah Lee, Woo-Seung Lee, Young Wook Song, Se-Hoon Shim
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-08-01
Series:Frontiers in Psychiatry
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1596035/full
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author Sung-Hoon Yoon
Ji Sun Kim
Hyeon-Ah Lee
Woo-Seung Lee
Young Wook Song
Se-Hoon Shim
author_facet Sung-Hoon Yoon
Ji Sun Kim
Hyeon-Ah Lee
Woo-Seung Lee
Young Wook Song
Se-Hoon Shim
author_sort Sung-Hoon Yoon
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionNon-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a serious concern in adolescents and is associated with impairments in impulsivity and social functioning. However, the underlying neural mechanisms remain unclear. This study aimed to examine inhibitory control and its association with depressive symptoms and interpersonal distress in adolescents with NSSI using event-related potentials (ERPs) and source-level analysis.MethodsA total of 51 adolescents with NSSI and 50 HC were recruited. Psychological characteristics were assessed using standardized scales including the Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire (INQ) and Short UPPS-P Impulsivity Scale (SUPPS-P). EEG were recorded during a go/no-go task to measure P3 amplitudes. Source analysis was performed to localize the neural activity. Group differences were analyzed using RMANOVA, followed by Pearson correlation and mediation analyses to evaluate the relationships among the variables.ResultsThe NSSI group showed significantly lower accuracy than HCs. The interaction between group and electrode site was significant (p = .032, ηp² = .010), indicating spatially specific reductions in no-go P3 amplitude in the NSSI group. No-go P3 at Fz was negatively correlated with depressive symptoms and interpersonal distress. Source-level analysis revealed marginally reduced activation in the right superior frontal gyrus in the NSSI group but diminished after adjusting for depressive symptoms. Mediation analysis indicated that depressive symptoms significantly mediated the relationship between both neural indices and interpersonal distress.ConclusionsAdolescents with NSSI exhibit impaired inhibitory control that is associated with depressive symptoms and social distress. These findings highlight the role of affective dysregulation in linking cognitive control deficits to interpersonal functioning in NSSI.
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spelling doaj-art-9b946a4e269f4665a4c1b3b85a96ccf82025-08-20T03:59:41ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychiatry1664-06402025-08-011610.3389/fpsyt.2025.15960351596035Electrophysiological characteristics in adolescents with non-suicidal self-injury: an event-related potential study and source analysisSung-Hoon Yoon0Ji Sun Kim1Hyeon-Ah Lee2Woo-Seung Lee3Young Wook Song4Se-Hoon Shim5Department of Psychiatry, Wonkwang University Hospital, Iksan, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Psychiatry, Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital, Cheonan, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Psychiatry, Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital, Cheonan, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Psychiatry, Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital, Cheonan, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Applied Artificial Intelligence, Hanyang University, Ansan, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Psychiatry, Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital, Cheonan, Republic of KoreaIntroductionNon-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a serious concern in adolescents and is associated with impairments in impulsivity and social functioning. However, the underlying neural mechanisms remain unclear. This study aimed to examine inhibitory control and its association with depressive symptoms and interpersonal distress in adolescents with NSSI using event-related potentials (ERPs) and source-level analysis.MethodsA total of 51 adolescents with NSSI and 50 HC were recruited. Psychological characteristics were assessed using standardized scales including the Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire (INQ) and Short UPPS-P Impulsivity Scale (SUPPS-P). EEG were recorded during a go/no-go task to measure P3 amplitudes. Source analysis was performed to localize the neural activity. Group differences were analyzed using RMANOVA, followed by Pearson correlation and mediation analyses to evaluate the relationships among the variables.ResultsThe NSSI group showed significantly lower accuracy than HCs. The interaction between group and electrode site was significant (p = .032, ηp² = .010), indicating spatially specific reductions in no-go P3 amplitude in the NSSI group. No-go P3 at Fz was negatively correlated with depressive symptoms and interpersonal distress. Source-level analysis revealed marginally reduced activation in the right superior frontal gyrus in the NSSI group but diminished after adjusting for depressive symptoms. Mediation analysis indicated that depressive symptoms significantly mediated the relationship between both neural indices and interpersonal distress.ConclusionsAdolescents with NSSI exhibit impaired inhibitory control that is associated with depressive symptoms and social distress. These findings highlight the role of affective dysregulation in linking cognitive control deficits to interpersonal functioning in NSSI.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1596035/fullinterpersonal relationsnon-suicidal self-injuryevent related potentialselectroencephalographydepression
spellingShingle Sung-Hoon Yoon
Ji Sun Kim
Hyeon-Ah Lee
Woo-Seung Lee
Young Wook Song
Se-Hoon Shim
Electrophysiological characteristics in adolescents with non-suicidal self-injury: an event-related potential study and source analysis
Frontiers in Psychiatry
interpersonal relations
non-suicidal self-injury
event related potentials
electroencephalography
depression
title Electrophysiological characteristics in adolescents with non-suicidal self-injury: an event-related potential study and source analysis
title_full Electrophysiological characteristics in adolescents with non-suicidal self-injury: an event-related potential study and source analysis
title_fullStr Electrophysiological characteristics in adolescents with non-suicidal self-injury: an event-related potential study and source analysis
title_full_unstemmed Electrophysiological characteristics in adolescents with non-suicidal self-injury: an event-related potential study and source analysis
title_short Electrophysiological characteristics in adolescents with non-suicidal self-injury: an event-related potential study and source analysis
title_sort electrophysiological characteristics in adolescents with non suicidal self injury an event related potential study and source analysis
topic interpersonal relations
non-suicidal self-injury
event related potentials
electroencephalography
depression
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1596035/full
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