Background: Research suggests that early parenting may contribute to the development of self-harm but this has
not been examined longitudinally. In this study, we explored the relationship between early parenting and selfharm in adolescence and considered whether (1) emotion regulation and (2) decision-making in childhood mediate the relationship between early parenting and self-harm. //
Method: Using longitudinal data from the Millennium Cohort Study (MCS), we tested mediation models exploring
the relationship between early parenting and self-harm in adolescence via emotion regulation and decisionmaking. Parenting was assessed at age 3 with measures of conflict, closeness and discipline. The trajectories
of independence & self-regulation and emotional dysregulation were modelled from ages 3 to 7 years through
latent growth curve analysis, with individual predicted slope and intercept values used in the mediation models.
Decision-making (deliberation time, total time, delay aversion, quality of decision making, risk adjustment, risktaking) was assessed using the Cambridge Gambling Task (CGT) at age 11. //
Results: In our sample (n = 11,145), we found no evidence of a direct association between early parenting and
self-harm in adolescence. However, there were indirect effects of parenting (conflict and closeness) on self-harm
via the slope of emotional dysregulation. Furthermore, delay aversion was positively associated with self-harm in
adolescence. //
Limitations: It must be acknowledged that we cannot determine causality and that self-report measures of parenting are vulnerable to several biases. //
Conclusion: The findings support early identification and interventions for children exhibiting chronic emotional
dysregulation and decision-making characterised by a bias for smaller, immediate over larger, delayed rewards
