Study of the characteristics of the cognitive profile and personality traits of adolescent patients with non-suicidal self-injuries in depressive states

 
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Abstract

Purpose of the study: identification of cognitive profile parameters and personality traits of adolescent patients suffering from depression with non-suicidal self-injury. Clinical group: 50 female patients aged from 16 to 25 years (average age 19) with non-suicidal self-injury, which occurred in the structure of depressive states of various nosological nature (clinical group). Сontrol group: 50 females of the same age (average age 18). Сomparison group: 36 female patients of the same age (average age 22.5) with depressive states of various nosological affiliations, without non-suicidal self-injury and without suicide attempts. Neuropsychological diagnostics was based on the classical battery of tests by A. R. Luria; the psychometric method represented by Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire, Questionnaire for Manifestations of Deviant Behavior, Fear of Pain Questionnaire, Pain Catastrophizing Scale was used as the main tool for assessing personal characteristics. The obtained data indicates the presence of a pronounced cognitive deficit in adolescent female patients suffering from depressive states accompanied by non-suicidal self-injury. The cognitive deficit was manifested predominantly in reduced or impaired regulatory-executive functions combined with impaired neurodynamics of thought processes and mental activity in general. The severity of symptoms and their combination cannot be qualified as a neuropsychological syndrome, but their representation and specificity of manifestations can be assessed within the framework of a special cognitive profile of the studied group of patients. Based on the results of the study, we also identified the features of the personality sphere of the patients of the studied cohort, which can be used as targets of complex psychotherapy.

General Information

Keywords: neuropsychology, neurocognitive deficit, depressive states, non-suicidal self-harming behaviour, adolescence, personality characteristics

Journal rubric: Empirical and Experimental Research

Article type: scientific article

Received 17.11.2024

Accepted

Published

For citation: Oleychik, M.I., Shevchenko, O.P., Moreva, A.S., Oleichik, I.V., Tkhostov, A.S. (2025). Study of the characteristics of the cognitive profile and personality traits of adolescent patients with non-suicidal self-injuries in depressive states . Vestnik of Saint Petersburg University. Psychology, 15(3), 432–454. (In Russ.). URL: https://psyjournals.ru/en/journals/vspu_psychology/archive/2025_n3/Oleychik_Shevchenko_et_al (viewed: 16.02.2026)

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Information About the Authors

Mikhail I. Oleychik, Junior Researcher, Department of Medical Psychology, Mental Health Research Center, Postgraduate student, Department of Neuro- and Pathopsychology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russian Federation, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0006-4102-5978, e-mail: mr.oleychik@mail.ru

Olga P. Shevchenko, Junior Researcher, Department for the Study of Endogenous Mental Disorders. Branch No. 3, Mental Health Research Center, Moscow, Russian Federation, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0003-7524-7243, e-mail: shevchenkolga@yandex.ru

Aleksandra S. Moreva, Psychiatrist of the highest category, Department for the Study of Endogenous Mental Disorders. Department No. 3, Mental Health Research Center, Moscow, Russian Federation

Igor V. Oleichik, Doctor of Medicine, Professor, Chief Researcher of the Department of Endogenous Mental Disorders and Affective States Studies, Mental Health Research Center, Moscow, Russian Federation, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8344-0620, e-mail: i.oleichik@mail.ru

Aleksandr S. Tkhostov, Doctor of Psychology, Professor, Professor, Head of Department of Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Moscow State University Lomonosov, Leading researcher at the Mental Health Research Center of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, Moscow, Russian Federation, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9676-4096, e-mail: tkhostov@gmail.com

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