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The Role of Self-Esteem and Body Image as Predictors of Self-Harm Behaviors Among Secondary School Students: A Quantitative Analysis

Articles
https://doi.org/10.63203/021856700
Hengki Yandri
Institut Agama Islam Negeri Kerinci iD https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5984-1504
Dosi Juliawati
Institut Agama Islam Negeri Kerinci iD https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4934-7593
Alfaiz Alfaiz
Universitas Ma’soem iD https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1226-0443
Yuzarion Yuzarion
Universitas Ahmad Dahlan iD https://orcid.org/0009-0002-3697-3608
Rani Mega Putri
Universitas Sriwijaya iD https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9570-7065
Emeliya Hardi
Universitas Islam Negeri Mahmud Yunus Batusangkar iD https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1733-1298

Abstract

Self-harm among adolescents represents a significant mental health concern that requires comprehensive understanding for effective intervention development. This quantitative study examined the relationships between self-esteem, body image, and self-harm tendencies among secondary school students. Using a total sampling methodology, 65 students from State Senior High School 1 Sungai Penuh completed validated questionnaires measuring self-esteem, body image, and self-harm behaviours. Multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to assess the predictive relationships between variables. Results indicated that self-esteem and body image combined explained 44.4% of the variance in self-harm behaviours (R² = 0.444), with both independent variables showing significant collective influence on self-harm tendencies. The remaining 55.6% of variance suggests the involvement of additional psychological, environmental, and contextual factors not captured in this study. These findings underscore the importance of developing comprehensive counseling and mental health interventions that address self-esteem enhancement and body image acceptance as preventive strategies for self-harm among adolescents. Implications for school-based guidance and counseling programs are discussed

Keywords

self-esteembody imageself-harmsecondary school studentsadolescent mental health

Author Biography

Hengki Yandri, Institut Agama Islam Negeri Kerinci
Dosi Juliawati, Institut Agama Islam Negeri Kerinci
Alfaiz Alfaiz, Universitas Ma’soem
Yuzarion Yuzarion, Universitas Ahmad Dahlan
Rani Mega Putri, Universitas Sriwijaya
Emeliya Hardi, Universitas Islam Negeri Mahmud Yunus Batusangkar

How to Cite

Yandri, H., Juliawati, D., Alfaiz, A., Yuzarion, Y., Putri, R. M., & Hardi, E. (2026). The Role of Self-Esteem and Body Image as Predictors of Self-Harm Behaviors Among Secondary School Students: A Quantitative Analysis. TheraEdu: Journal of Therapy and Educational Psychology, 2(1), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.63203/021856700
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Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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