The role of cognitive disengagement syndrome in non‐suicidal self‐injury among adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Aims We aimed to investigate the relationship between Cognitive Disengagement Syndrome (CDS) and non‐suicidal self injury (NSSI) in adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Methods A semi‐structured psychiatric interview and an NSSI screening questionnaire were conducted. Questionnaires assessing CDS (with daydreamer, sleepy, and slow subdimensions), depression, anxiety, self‐esteem, emotion regulation, coping strategies, and loneliness were administered. Results Among 104 participants ( n : 63, 60.6% girls), the combined type of ADHD was the most common (66.3%), and 35 adolescents (27 girls) were in the NSSI+ group. Although only depression and ADHD were found to be predictors of NSSI in ADHD, CDS was associated with many risk factors of NSSI in ADHD: depression, anxiety, emotion dysregulation, low self‐esteem, and emotion‐oriented coping ways. After controlling for the effects of cognitive problems/inattentiveness, depression, and anxiety, CDS still correlated with low self‐esteem and emotion dysregulation. The daydreamer and slow sub‐dimensions of CSD differed between NSSI+ and NSSI‐ groups, while sleepy did not. Conclusions CDS is associated with several relevant factors, indirectly relating it to self‐harm in ADHD. CDS increases the vulnerability to mental health changes that could lead to NSSI in adolescence with ADHD.