Protocol for a systematic literature review on risk and protective factors for non-suicidal self-injurious behavior among adolescents in Iran
Bita Erfanifar, Maud Modders, Karlijn MassarBackground
Self-harm, including non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), represents a major public health concern among adolescents. Although numerous risk and protective factors have been identified in the literature, their utility for assessment and management remains limited due to their large number and the variability in the strength of their associations. In Iran, in particular, there is a notable lack of synthesis, related to adolescent NSSI, especially regarding protective factors. To address this gap, this protocol outlines an ongoing systematic review aiming to provide a comprehensive overview of the recent (2015 onward) Persian and English peer-reviewed literature on NSSI and self-harm among adolescents in Iran, with a specific focus on studies investigating risk and protective factors.
Methods & analysis
The protocol is registered with PROSPERO (registration number CRD420261286909), and the systematic literature review, following PRISMA-P guidelines, will include Persian and English-language studies from 2015 onwards examining risk and protective factors for non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) in Iranian adolescents (10–19 years), as well as robustness of findings. Eligible studies include quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods designs, identified through PubMed, PsycINFO, Scopus, Embase, Google Scholar, SID, and Magiran. Data will be extracted using a standardized form, and study quality will be assessed with the Mixed Methods Assessment Tool (MMAT). Findings will be synthesized narratively, summarizing associations between risk or protective factors and NSSI, organized by clinically meaningful categories such as psychopathology, individual, family, peer, and demographic factors.