







































Humanitas: Indonesian Psychological Journal  
Vol. 22 (2), August 2025, 181-194 

ISSN:  2598-6368(online); 1693-7236(print)                                                              

       humanitas@psy.uad.ac.id             http://journal1.uad.ac.id/index.php/Humanitas            https://doi.org/10.26555/humanitas.v22i1.1188 

The mediating role of resilience between executive function and non-

suicidal self-injury in Indonesian adolescents 

Rania Khairunnisa, Donny Hendrawan 

Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia  

Corresponding author: donny.hendrawan@ui.ac.id 

 

 

This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA license. 

 

Introduction 

Adolescence is marked by significant changes in biological, psychological, and social 
development as individuals transition from childhood to adulthood. During this time, not 
only do family factors influence daily life, but adolescents also begin to view peer groups 
and other social relationships as important for acceptance (Geldard et al., 2016). In this 
transitional stage, adolescents may encounter new family, social, and individual challenges 
(Krapić et al., 2015; Marotz & Allen, 2016). 

With the transitions and changes being experienced, also the adjustments to new 

developmental stages, the problems faced during adolescence can feel more intense and may 

lead to issues such as psychosomatic symptoms, anxiety, and stress (Nugroho et al., 2023; 

ARTICLE INFO 

 

ABSTRACT 

 
Article history 
Received: 6 March 2025 
Revised: 6 August 2025  
Accepted: 12 August 2025 

 Adolescence is characterized by significant biological, psychological, 
and social changes, that bring challenges that may lead to maladaptive 
behaviors, such as non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI). Executive 
function and resilience are the factors that can affect NSSI behavior 
by promoting adaptive responses to challenges. Executive function 
supports emotional regulation and problem-solving, while resilience 
helps adolescents cope with stress. This study aims to explore how 
resilience mediates the relationship between executive function and 
NSSI. The Teenage Executive Function Inventory, Cognitive 
Flexibility Scale, Child and Youth Resilience Measure-Revised, and 
Deliberate Self-Harm Inventory were used in this study. Two hundred 
and eleven adolescents participated, consisting of 104 males and 107 
females (SD = 0.501), aged 12-18 years (SD = 1.424). Data analysis 
was conducted using Hayes Macro Process Mediation Analysis.  
Results indicate resilience partially mediates the relationship between 
overall executive function and NSSI. However, resilience fully 
mediates the relationship between executive function dimensions 
separately—working memory, inhibitory control, and cognitive 
flexibility—and NSSI. These findings underscore the importance of 
resilience and executive function in understanding NSSI behavior 
among adolescents. Moreover, resilience and executive function can 
be considered by practitioners and parents as key targets for 
interventions aimed at preventing and reducing the prevalence of 
NSSI. 

 
    

 
Keywords 

Adolescent 
Executive Function  

Non-Suicidal Self-Injury 

Resilience 
 
 

 

mailto:humanitas@psy.uad.ac.id
http://journal1.uad.ac.id/index.php/Humanitas
https://doi.org/10.26555/humanitas.v22i1.1188
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Rania Khairunnisa et.al (The mediating role of resilience between executive function and non-suicidal self-injury in…) 

Xie et al., 2020). Compared to adults, adolescents are more vulnerable to experiencing 

negative emotions with greater intensity and more frequent negative moods, especially 

during early adolescence (Dumitrescu, 2015). The various changes during this stage often 

result in emotional instability, uncommunicativeness, argumentativeness, and impulsivity. 

As adolescents struggle to cope with these challenges, they may seek maladaptive ways to 

regulate their emotions, such as substance use (Abidin et al., 2025), social withdrawal (Putri 

et al., 2022), and non-suicidal self-injury (Hidayati et al., 2023). Non-suicidal self-injury 

(NSSI), is often used as a mechanism to alleviate emotional distress. Unfortunately, NSSI is 

commonly found to begin during adolescence (Agarwal et al., 2020). 

NSSI is defined as behavior that is direct, intentional, and socially disapproved, 

causing harm to one's body tissue without the intent to commit suicide (Nock, 2010). NSSI 

is very common and is more prevalent in adolescents than in other age groups (Kądziela-

Olech et al., 2014; Morgan et al., 2017). Several studies have shown that the age at which 

individuals first engage in NSSI ranges from 12 to 24 years old, which is included in the 

range of adolescent age (Hidayati et al., 2022; Kądziela-Olech et al., 2014; Kaligis et al., 

2021; Sabrina & Afiatin, 2023). 

The factors influencing NSSI behavior can be categorized into two factors: (1) 

individual factors (e.g., biological aspects, emotional regulation, self-regulation, psychiatric 

disorders) and (2) environmental factors (e.g., childhood maltreatment, disrupted emotional 

relationships) (Cipriano et al., 2017; Gratz, 2006). On the biological aspect, NSSI may be 

influenced by specific neural pathways that affect an individual's involvement in self-injury, 

one of which is the neural pathways connected to executive function. Executive function is 

cognitive processes that play a vital role in goal-directed behavior. These processes include 

the ability to effectively plan actions, keep track of progress, and organize various tasks. 

Together, these skills facilitate structured and purposeful behavior, allowing individuals to 

navigate complex situations and make informed decisions (Diamond, 2013). The executive 

function consists of three dimensions—working memory (e.g., recalling past experiences 

and considering different possible outcomes before responding), inhibitory control (e.g., 

pausing and assessing when facing stressful situation to choose a more appropriate 

response), and cognitive flexibility (e.g., explore alternative solutions, and remain open to 

new ideas when facing failures)—that plays a crucial role in shaping adolescent behavior as 

well as their emotional and social competence. These abilities allow adolescents to be more 

flexible in responding to environmental conditions, assessing risks, and prioritizing tasks.  

Poor executive function is linked to difficulties in impulse control, meaning 

adolescents with impaired executive function might have a harder time resisting the urge to 

engage in self-injurious behavior when faced with stress. Furthermore, executive function is 

crucial for problem-solving and social cognition. Deficits in executive function may make it 

harder for adolescents to navigate social challenges effectively, increasing reliance on NSSI 

as a maladaptive coping mechanism (Wang et al., 2023). However, studies linking executive 

function with NSSI have not yielded consistent results. Some neuropsychological studies 

from Asian and Western countries do report differences between these groups (Fikke et al., 

2011; Wang et al., 2023; Zhou et al., 2024). On the other hand, some other studies report no 

differences in executive function between adolescents who engage in NSSI and those who 

do not (Hamza et al., 2015; Janis & Nock, 2009). Meanwhile, studies linking executive 

function with NSSI remain very limited in South East Asia countries. These gaps and 

inconsistencies suggest that additional factors may be necessary to fully explain the 

relationship between executive function and NSSI. 

Stressful situations or decreased adaptive coping skills are often responsible for NSSI 

and subsequent suicidal behavior (Guan et al., 2012). Individuals need to possess resilience 



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to exhibit adaptive behaviors when facing challenging situations. Thus, resilience plays a 

role in providing protection in various ways, such as self-improvement, coping styles, and 

family cohesion (Bloom & Holly, 2011; Khan & Ungar, 2023). A meta-analysis shows an 

individual's executive function plays a role in shaping their resilience (Mecha et al., 2024). 

Individuals with better working memory, help in contextual adaptation, ensuring focus on 

relevant information during adversity, and enhances problem-solving effectively. Executive 

function also helps to build good resilience by preventing rumination and excessive 

emotional distress, allowing for better emotional stability in adversity through good 

inhibitory control. It also allows individuals to shift between different perspectives and 

reduces emotional distress. Thus it enhances the ability to adapt to unpredictable or adverse 

events, leading to better stress recovery through good cognitive flexibility (Mecha et al., 

2024; Samuelson et al., 2020). 

Furthermore, resilience helps adolescents prevent maladaptive behaviors when facing 

stressful situations by restoring psychological balance. It enables them to stay calm, 

overcome challenges, and develop better emotional regulation, reducing the likelihood of 

using NSSI as an emotional escape. Resilience also fosters a sense of meaning, strength, and 

realistic goal-setting, encouraging healthier coping strategies and making self-injury a less 

appealing option (Zorobi et al., 2024). Also, structural brain regions, primarily in the right 

prefrontal area, indicate that mechanisms related to executive control are also involved in 

mechanisms that build resilience (Burt et al., 2016). Considering the external factors 

accompanying adolescent life, having positive relationships with peers during adolescence 

is associated with positive psychosocial adjustment. Additionally, adolescents cannot be 

separated from family influence. Positive family environments, closeness, and attachment to 

family are also associated with better emotional development, greater resilience, and less 

involvement in high-risk activities (Backes & Bonnie, 2019; Dumitrescu, 2015). Therefore, 

despite facing risk factors and challenging situations, individuals with good resilience can 

balance their situations with more adaptive responses (Pearce & Davis, 2021). 

In building strategies to help individuals develop good resilience, planning, self-

regulation, and adaptability to change are essential. Adapting to change and stress requires 

internal factors within the individual that align with executive function, including inhibitory 

control, working memory, and cognitive flexibility. Executive function strengthens 

individual resilience and creates a protective layer that helps individuals face everyday 

challenges (Diamond, 2013). Previous studies have shown mixed results regarding the 

relationship between executive function and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI). To address this 

inconsistency, this study explores the mediating role of resilience in the executive function 

and NSSI relationship, a mechanism that has not been fully examined in prior research. 

Additionally, most studies on executive function, resilience, and NSSI have been conducted 

in Western contexts, with limited research focusing on adolescents in Southeast Asia, 

particularly Indonesia. Given that cultural differences may shape emotional regulation, 

coping mechanisms, and the protective role of resilience, this study aims to fill this gap by 

examining Indonesian adolescents. By doing so, it will contribute to a more comprehensive 

understanding of the cognitive and resilience processes involved in NSSI behavior. 

Therefore, this study will examine the role of resilience as a mediator between individual 

executive function and NSSI behavior. 

 

 



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Method  

Participants 

This study comprised 211 participants, 104 males and 107 females (SD = 0.5), aged 12-18 
years (SD = 1.42). The participants were students from junior high schools and senior high 
schools residing in the Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, or Bekasi areas in Indonesia. 

Materials 

The measurement tools used in this study include the Child and Youth Resilience Measure-

Revised (CYRM-R), which was adapted into Bahasa Indonesia by Borualogo & Jefferies 

(2019). This scale measures indications of resilience within social-ecological aspects, 

reflecting how an individual interacts with their external environment to build resilience in 

the face of challenges. It consists of 17 statements on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 1 

= not at all to 5 = often. This tool will be scored using a total score, where a higher score 

indicates greater resilience among participants. The tool has good internal consistency (α = 

0.902), indicating its reliability in measuring resilience. 

This study used the Teenage Executive Function Inventory (TEXI) (Thorell et al., 

2020) to assess the participants’ executive functions, which measures the dimensions of 

working memory and inhibitory control. This instrument includes 20 questions, measured 

on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 1 = Strongly disagree to 5 = Strongly agree. This scale 

was scored in total score for each dimension, inhibitory control, and working memory. The 

total score of this scale indicates that the higher the score, the worse the capability of 

participants working memory and/or inhibitory control.  

The Cognitive Flexibility Scale (CFS) (Martin & Rubin, 1995) was used to measure 

the third dimension of executive function, cognitive flexibility. This scale consists of 12 

statements, measured on a 6-point Likert scale ranging from 1 = Strongly disagree to 6 = 

Strongly agree. This scale was reverse-scored, meaning that a higher score indicates poorer 

cognitive flexibility in participants. The internal consistency of the TEXI working memory 

dimension (α = 0.76), inhibitory control dimension (α = 0.78), and CFS (α = 0.68) were 

tested and found to be reliable. The instrument tool was directly adapted by researchers 

through the process of translation, expert judgment, and readability testing by adolescent 

samples. To obtain the total executive function score, the scores from the Teenage Executive 

Function Inventory and the Cognitive Flexibility Scale were combined using the factor score 

method. 

Additionally, to measure NSSI behavior, the Deliberate Self-Harm Inventory (Gratz, 

2001) was used. This tool comprises 17 statements that reflect 17 types of non-suicidal self-

injury behaviors, measured on a dichotomous scale (“yes” or “no”). The tool aims to assess 

the history of NSSI behaviors that participants have engaged in throughout their lives up to 

the time of completing the questionnaire. The final score of this scale will be a yes or no 

dichotomous score indicating whether the participants have never done any kind of NSSI 

behavior or have done it at least once in their lifetime. The inventory demonstrates strong 

psychometric properties, including good internal consistency (α = 0.76). 

Procedure 

The study was conducted in the recruitment, data collection, and debriefing phase. Ethical 
approval was already obtained from the Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Psychology at 
Universitas Indonesia (Approval Number: 250/FPsi.Komite Etik/PDP.04.00/2023). During 



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the recruitment phase, participants were selected through convenience sampling from junior 
and senior high schools in Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, and Bekasi. Informed consent 
was obtained from parents or guardians before any data collection began. 

In the data collection phase, participants were briefed on the study's procedures, 
confidentiality safeguards, and the voluntary nature of their involvement. Participants who 
consented completed a set of self-report questionnaires via Microsoft Forms in a classroom 
setting, with researchers present to monitor and assist as needed. The questionnaire took 
approximately 30–45 minutes to complete, and participants were encouraged to respond 
honestly with assurances of confidentiality for their responses. 

Following data collection, participants received a debriefing that provided additional 
information on the study’s purpose and significance. Psychoeducation was also given on 
mental health and adaptive coping strategies, with participants provided resources for mental 
health support if needed. 

Data Analysis 

The study conducted a mediation effect test of resilience on the relationship between each 
dimension of executive function and NSSI behavior. Before conducting the mediation test, 
a point-biserial correlation test was performed to examine the relationship between each 
dimension of executive function and NSSI behavior, as the NSSI variable is dichotomous. 
After that, a mediation test was conducted using the PROCESS Procedure for SPSS with 
Hayes model number 4 to observe the mediation effect of resilience. Additionally, this study 
examined gender differences in the interaction between variables, using the same analysis 
but with separate data 

Results 

The data was collected from 211 participants, consisting of 49.3% male participants and 
50.7% female participants (SD = 0.50). The age range of the participants in this study was 
12-18 years old (SD = 1.42), with the majority of participants being 14 years old when the 
data was collected. Based on the data obtained, there were no missing values in the processed 
data. It was found that 50.1% of the total participants in this study had engaged in NSSI 
(Non-Suicidal Self-Injury) at least once in their lives, with the majority of those who had 
engaged in NSSI being female (63%; SD = 0.50). See Table 1. 

Table 1  

Description of participants' characteristics 

   Sum Percentage SD 

Gender Male  104 49.30 0.50 

 Female  107 50.70  

Age 12  7 3.30 1.42 

 13  39 18.50  

 14  83 39.30  

 15  21 10  

 16  37 17.50  

 17  18 8.50  

 18  6 2.80  

NSSI behavior Ever done Male 40 36.70 0.50 

  Female 69 63.30  

 Never done Male 64 62.70  

  Female 38 37.30  



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The total score of executive function and the total score on each dimension indicate 

that the higher the score, the worse the executive function and its dimensions. According to 

Table 2, the study results show that overall executive function (r(209) = −0.29, p < 0.01), as 

well as each dimension of executive function—working memory (r(209)= −0.23, p < 0.01), 

inhibitory control (r(209) = −0.24, p < 0.01), and cognitive flexibility (r(209) = −0.40, p < 

0.01)—has a significant negative correlation with resilience. Given that higher scores on the 

executive function measures indicate poorer performance, these results indicate that 

adolescents with greater executive function impairments may have more difficulty adapting 

to stressors and employing adaptive coping strategies, potentially making them more 

vulnerable to psychological distress. 

 

Table 2   

Correlation between executive function, resilience, and NSSI behavior 

 1 2 3 4 5 6 M SD 

Executive Function 1      0.00 1.00 

Working Memory  0.89** 1     0.00 1.00 

Inhibitory Control  0.91**   0.68** 1    0.00 1.00 

Cognitive Flexibility  0.29** 0.16* 0.18** 1   0.00 1.00 

NSSI  0.21** 0.16* 0.18** 0.10* 1  0.52 0.50 

Resilience -0.29**  -0.23**  -0.24**  -0.40** -0.28** 1 0.00 1.00 

*Significance level of p < 0.05; ** significance level of p < 0.01 

 

In contrast, executive function (r(209) = 0.21 , p < 0.05) and its dimensions —working 

memory (r(209) = 0.16 , p < 0.05), inhibitory control (r(209) = 0.18 , p < 0.01), and cognitive 

flexibility (r(209) = 0.10, p < 0.05) has a positive correlation with NSSI. This result indicates 

that the worse the performance of a person's working memory, inhibitory control, cognitive 

flexibility, or overall executive function the higher the likelihood of that person engaging in 

NSSI. 

 

Table 3 

The mediation role of resilience between executive function and NSSI behavior  

 
B SE 

CI 95% P 
LL UL  

X = Executive function      

Executive function → Resilience(a) -0.29 0.07 -0.42 -0.16 0.00 

Resilience→ NSSI (b) -0.53 0.16 -0.85 -0.22 0.00 

Executive function → NSSI (c' - direct effect)  0.32 0.16  0.02  0.62 0.04 

Indirect Effect (a × b)  0.15 0.06  0.05  0.30  

X = Working memory      

Working memory → Resilience(a) -0.23 0.07 -0.36 -0.10 0.00 

Resilience→ NSSI (b) -0.57 0.16 -0.88 -0.25 0.00 

Working memory → NSSI (c' - direct effect)  0.23  0.15    0.13 -0.06 0.52 

Indirect Effect (a × b)  0.13 0.06  0.04  0.27  

X = Inhibitory control -0.24 0.07 -0.37 -0.10 0.00 

Inhibitory control → Resilience(a)  -0.56  0.16  -0.87 -0.25 0.00 

Resilience→ NSSI (b)   0.26  0.15  -0.03   0.56 0.08 

Inhibitory control → NSSI (c' - direct effect)   0.13 0.06    0.04  0.27  

Indirect Effect (a × b)      

X = Cognitive flexibility      

Cognitive flexibility → Resilience(a) -0.40 0.06 -0.52 -0.27 0.00 

Resilience→ NSSI (b) -0.63 0.17 -0.97 -0.30 0.00 

Cognitive flexibility → NSSI (c' - direct effect) -0.04 0.16 -0.36  0.27 0.78 



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Indirect Effect (a × b)  0.25 0.09  0.11  0.46  

 

Table 3 presents the mediating role of resilience in the relationship between overall 

executive function, its dimensions separately, and NSSI behavior. The indirect effect of 

overall executive function was significant (95% CI [0.053, 0.30]). Similarly, the indirect 

effects of each executive function dimension—working memory (95% CI [0.04, 0.27]), 

inhibitory control (95% CI [0.04, 0.27]), and cognitive flexibility (95% CI [0.11, 0.46])—

also reached significance level. However, the direct effects of working memory (95% CI [-

0.13, 0.06]), inhibitory control (95% CI [-0.03, 0.56]), and cognitive flexibility (95% CI [-

0.35, 0.27]) were not statistically significant. In contrast, the direct effect of overall executive 

function was significant (95% CI [0.02, 0.62]). 

These findings indicate that each dimension of executive function indirectly predicts 

NSSI behavior exclusively through the mediating role of resilience, indicating resilience as 

a full mediator. However, overall executive function predicts NSSI both directly and 

indirectly through resilience, indicating partial mediation. This underscores the critical role 

of resilience in mitigating the impact of executive function deficits on NSSI behavior.  

Discussion 

This study examined the mediating role of resilience in the relationship between executive 
function, its dimensions, and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI). The findings indicate that 
overall executive function correlates with and directly predicts NSSI, with its combined 
dysfunction exerting a stronger influence on behavior regulation (Wang et al., 2023). 
Viewing executive function as a single construct captures cumulative deficits across 
cognitive domains simultaneously, impairing emotion regulation and increasing 
vulnerability to NSSI as a maladaptive coping strategy. These impairments disrupt impulse 
control, cognitive flexibility, and the ability to adopt adaptive coping mechanisms, 
reinforcing NSSI as a repetitive and rigid emotional regulation strategy (Fikke et al., 2011). 
Furthermore, when resilience is added as a mediating variable, NSSI in adolescents can also 
be significantly influenced.  
  Executive function plays a crucial role in building resilience by enhancing cognitive 
flexibility and problem-solving skills, enabling individuals to adapt more effectively to 
stressors. It also strengthens resilience by maintaining goal-directed behavior and regulating 
emotional responses. This ability allows individuals to function effectively under stress, cope 
with adversities, and remain focused despite psychological distress (Afek et al., 2021; Zhang 
et al., 2019). Higher resilience can help someone to reduce anxiety and stress when facing 
stressful situations. Besides that, resilience is also influenced by an individual's surrounding 
environment such as family and friends that also help someone to regulate negative emotions 
and enhance adaptive responses to threats (Scult et al., 2017). In children and adolescents, 
executive function and resilience are interrelated and jointly predict social competence, 
social support, and adaptive coping strategies that are associated with internalizing and 
externalizing problems (Martek et al., 2007; Turner et al., 2014; Wei et al., 2022). With good 
resilience, individuals can have better competence and develop adaptive coping that avoids 
the idea of doing NSSI behavior. 

Since executive function consists of three main dimensions—working memory, 

inhibitory control, and cognitive flexibility—this study explores the relationship between 

each dimension and NSSI. However, when each executive function dimension is analyzed 

separately, the predictive power for NSSI diminishes and cannot significantly predict NSSI. 

The inability of working memory to predict self-harm in adolescents is possibly due to the 

complex interplay of cognitive and emotional factors. It indicates that even though working 

memory is an important cognitive function, it does not itself directly predict self-harming 



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behaviors such as NSSI, which are often also influenced by emotional distress and cognitive 

distortions (Wang et al., 2023). However, when working memory is linked through 

resilience, NSSI can be significantly predicted. A study indicates that cognitive abilities, 

including working memory, play a protective role in how individuals respond emotionally 

to stress. Working memory can buffer against the negative effects of stress, helping 

individuals maintain a more stable emotional state during challenging times (Baliyan et al., 

2021). Good working memory supports resilience by allowing individuals to regulate 

emotions by assimilating information related to difficult situations, and develop adaptive 

coping strategies (Weiland et al., 2012). Therefore a person will be less likely to engage in 

maladaptive coping behavior such as NSSI. 

The second dimension, inhibitory control, also cannot significantly predict NSSI. 

Individuals intentionally engage in self-harm actions not solely due to an inability to resist 

the presence of a sharp or dangerous item, but because self-injury invokes a rewarding 

process by alleviating negative emotional states. The coupling between the rewards 

associated with self-injury and the heightening of reactive inhibition would allow individuals 

to override their self-preservation instinct (Mirabella et al., 2024). As executive function in 

general, inhibitory control also cannot independently affect the NSSI behavior among 

adolescents, but there are factors like other psychological and social factors that play a big 

role in the development of NSSI behavior (Rodman et al., 2017).This result contradicts 

previous studies’ findings suggesting that inhibitory control in adolescents with NSSI is 

lower than in normal adolescents (Marotz & Allen, 2016; Mozafari et al., 2022). However, 

this finding aligns with results from a previous study that initiative self-control is better at 

predicting engagement in desired behaviors, while inhibitory self-control is more effective 

at resisting unwanted behaviors (deRidder et al., 2011). Nevertheless, resilience can 

significantly bridge the relationship between inhibitory control and NSSI. Resilience 

positively correlates with non-emotional inhibitory control, which enhances resilience in 

stressful situations (Afek et al., 2021). Good inhibitory control enhances resilience by 

enabling individuals to maintain goal-directed behavior and regulate emotional responses, 

allowing for better coping with stress and adversity (Afek et al., 2021). Research also 

suggests that adolescents with strong social networks that enhance resilience may exhibit 

better self-control, complicating the relationship between inhibitory control and self-harm 

behaviors (Thompson, 2020). 

The last dimension, cognitive flexibility, also cannot independently predict NSSI in 

adolescents. Research shows that cognitive flexibility, as currently measured, is not 

significantly related to a history of NSSI beyond the presentation of specific 

psychopathology, such as depression. Higher cognitive flexibility may have a protective 

influence against NSSI by mitigating the effects of stress and psychological pain. However, 

cognitive flexibility does not appear to be a primary mechanism of change in many NSSI 

interventions (Chung et al., 2024). In addition, cognitive inflexibility is not significantly 

related to a history of NSSI behavior, possibly because cognitive inflexibility is triggered as 

a temporary response to distress rather than as a static cognitive characteristic (Polanco-

Roman et al., 2015). However, when resilience is added as a mediator variable, the 

relationship can significantly predict NSSI. Cognitive flexibility, which involves cognitive 

appraisal and frontal brain circuits, plays a crucial role in human resilience by reallocating 

attentional resources between cognitive-emotional regulation and pain perception (Yao & 

Hsieh, 2019) Cognitive flexibility helps enhance resilience by enabling individuals to adapt 

their thinking and emotional responses to adversities, facilitating better recovery from 

stressors (Sünbül, 2020). 



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Additionally, the results of this study showed that the majority of adolescent 

participants had engaged in NSSI at least once in their lives. This is consistent with a 

previous study, which reported that the highest prevalence of NSSI behavior occurs among 

adolescents (Morgan et al., 2017). Involvement in NSSI is significantly associated with 

feelings of depression and can be considered a strategy for emotion regulation (Giletta et al., 

2012). NSSI also serves as a mechanism for alleviating negative emotions experienced by 

individuals due to adverse past experiences (Kaess et al., 2013). Furthermore, NSSI is often 

used as a tool for self-punishment for events or situations that have occurred or actions that 

the individual has taken (Cipriano et al., 2017). 

Among all participants who had engaged in NSSI, the majority were female. This 

finding is consistent with previous research that argued that females are more likely to 

disclose their NSSI behavior than males, leading to higher recorded statistics (Bresin & 

Schoenleber, 2015). Also, the report shows that females reported significantly higher levels 

of perceived distress than males. NSSI is often used as a coping mechanism for negative 

feelings associated with depression and anxiety (e.g., sadness, restlessness, feelings of 

worthlessness), and females are at greater risk of engaging in NSSI because they are more 

likely to experience these symptoms compared to males (Lutz et al., 2023). 

This study has several limitations that should be considered for future research on 

similar topics. First, the participants in this study were from the Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, 

Tangerang, and Bekasi areas. Future studies could include a broader range of participants to 

provide a more comprehensive understanding. Second, the NSSI scale used in this study was 

dichotomous, which did not allow for an assessment of the severity of participants' 

engagement in NSSI. Future research should consider using a scale that can measure the 

severity of NSSI behavior more comprehensively. 

Conclusion 

Based on this study, only overall executive function could significantly predict non-suicidal 

self-injury (NSSI) behavior in adolescents. Meanwhile, each dimension separately could not 

predict NSSI in participants. The role of resilience as a mediator variable is critical in 

explaining this relationship. Each dimension of executive function separately—working 

memory, inhibitory control, and cognitive flexibility, could only predict NSSI when 

resilience is taken into account. Resilience helps bridge the impact of executive function on 

NSSI by enhancing adolescents' ability to manage negative emotions and respond adaptively 

to stressful situations. These findings highlight the importance of intervention that targets 

determinants of resilience and executive function, as well as prevention efforts for NSSI, 

especially among adolescents who are vulnerable to psychological problems. 

Acknowledgment 

The authors thank the participants involved in this research. 

Declarations  

Author contribution. The first author contributed to designing the study, collecting data, 

analysing the results, and writing the article. The second author contributed to directing the 

research topic, supervising the study, consulting on data analysis, and reviewing the article 

manuscript. 

Funding statement. UI-UTM Bilateral Strategic Matching Fund from Universitas Indonesia 

has fully funded the research with funding number NKB-1183/UN2.RST/HKP.05.00/2023. 



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Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest in this article's research, 

authorship, and publication. 

Additional information. No additional information is available for this paper. 
 

 

 

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