Protocol for a systematic literature review on risk and protective factors for non-suicidal self-injurious behavior among adolescents in Iran

Background: 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.