Background: Self-harming behaviors among adolescents, particularly in relation to cyberspace, have become prevalent in recent years, causing numerous challenges. Therefore, examining this issue and striving to enhance adolescent well-being requires a comprehensive and deep understanding of self-harming behaviors in cyberspace, tailored to the environmental and cultural conditions of each country. Although the rise in self-harming behaviors in cyberspace has gained attention over the past year, very few studies have been conducted on this critical topic in Iran..
Aims: This study aimed to design a model of factors influencing self-harming behaviors in cyberspace: an exploratory mixed-method study.
Methods: The research was conducted using a mixed-method approach (qualitative and quantitative) in an exploratory manner across two phases. In the first phase (qualitative section), triangulation was employed to identify self-harming behaviors in cyberspace. The statistical population of this phase included experts in treating psychological disorders caused by cyberspace, such as psychologists, counselors, and related specialists in Tehran. Purposeful sampling was used, and data were collected through semi-structured interviews. Qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis, and the results were utilized to design the initial tool (questionnaire). In the second phase (quantitative section), the tool developed based on the qualitative findings consisted of a questionnaire focusing on personal information and self-harming behaviors in cyberspace, which was distributed online across Iran. The statistical population of this phase included parents, teachers, counselors, and specialists related to the research area. Convenience sampling was used, and questionnaires from 400 participants were selected after initial evaluations for final analysis. Data from the quantitative section were analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis with the SmartPLS 3.8 software.
Results: The study revealed that self-harming behaviors in cyberspace can be categorized into two main dimensions: individual or psychological factors and social factors. Furthermore, the results of confirmatory factor analysis conducted on the data confirmed the goodness-of-fit of the two-dimensional model of self-harming behaviors in cyberspace. Additionally, a positive and significant correlation was observed between the dimensions of individual/psychological factors and social factors influencing self-harming behaviors in cyberspace (P< 0.05), indicating appropriate concurrent validity of the tool. The reliability of the tool was also confirmed, with Cronbach’s alpha for both dimensions exceeding 0.7, indicating satisfactory reliability.
Conclusion: The findings of this study provide a foundation for identifying, assessing, and managing self-harming behaviors in cyberspace among Iranian adolescents, as well as improving self-harming behaviors in cyberspace among high school girls.