What Is the Role of Dissociation and Emptiness in the Occurrence of Nonsuicidal Self-Injury?

2012 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 287-298 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bethany A. Rallis ◽  
Charlene A. Deming ◽  
Jeffrey J. Glenn ◽  
Matthew K. Nock
Keyword(s):  
Childhood Abuse ◽  
Emotional Abuse ◽  
Positive Reinforcement ◽  
The Other ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Self Injury ◽  
Preliminary Information ◽  
Positive Feelings ◽  
Nonsuicidal Self Injury

Many episodes of nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) are reportedly performed for the purpose of feeling generation; however, little is known about the pathways through which such behavior emerges. To address this knowledge gap, we examined the relations among childhood abuse, self-reported feelings of dissociation and emptiness, and the occurrence of NSSI. Eighty-six adolescents were included in this study and completed self-report measures of each construct. The results support a model in which dissociation and emptiness separately mediate the relation between childhood emotional abuse and the occurrence of NSSI. Moreover, as hypothesized, emotional abuse, dissociation, and emptiness all are significantly associated with the intrapersonal positive reinforcement function of NSSI (i.e., NSSI for feeling generation) but are not associated with the other 3 previously identified functions of NSSI. These results provide preliminary information about how NSSI may arise in some cases and suggest that treatment components aimed at teaching noninjurious strategies for generating positive feelings/affect may decrease the occurrence of NSSI.

Self-Injurious Behavior vs. Nonsuicidal Self-Injury

Crisis ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 106-112 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher M. Bloom ◽  
Shareen Holly ◽  
Adam M. P. Miller
Keyword(s):  
Positive Reinforcement ◽  
Empirical Investigation ◽  
High Stress ◽  
Animal Research ◽  
Stress Conditions ◽  
Human Populations ◽  
Pharmacological Interventions ◽  
Self Injury ◽  
Cns Stimulant ◽  
Nonsuicidal Self Injury

Background: Historically, the field of self-injury has distinguished between the behaviors exhibited among individuals with a developmental disability (self-injurious behaviors; SIB) and those present within a normative population (nonsuicidal self-injury; NSSI),which typically result as a response to perceived stress. More recently, however, conclusions about NSSI have been drawn from lines of animal research aimed at examining the neurobiological mechanisms of SIB. Despite some functional similarity between SIB and NSSI, no empirical investigation has provided precedent for the application of SIB-targeted animal research as justification for pharmacological interventions in populations demonstrating NSSI. Aims: The present study examined this question directly, by simulating an animal model of SIB in rodents injected with pemoline and systematically manipulating stress conditions in order to monitor rates of self-injury. Methods: Sham controls and experimental animals injected with pemoline (200 mg/kg) were assigned to either a low stress (discriminated positive reinforcement) or high stress (discriminated avoidance) group and compared on the dependent measures of self-inflicted injury prevalence and severity. Results: The manipulation of stress conditions did not impact the rate of self-injury demonstrated by the rats. The results do not support a model of stress-induced SIB in rodents. Conclusions: Current findings provide evidence for caution in the development of pharmacotherapies of NSSI in human populations based on CNS stimulant models. Theoretical implications are discussed with respect to antecedent factors such as preinjury arousal level and environmental stress.

Role of Adaptive Coping Strategies in Adolescent Nonsuicidal Self-Injury

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy Kranzler ◽  
Emily A. Panza ◽  
Matthew K. Nock ◽  
Edward A. Selby
Keyword(s):  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Adaptive Coping ◽  
Self Injury ◽  
Nonsuicidal Self Injury

Exploring the role of anger in nonsuicidal self-injury in veterans

2021 ◽  
Vol 137 ◽  
pp. 55-65
Author(s):  
Clair Cassiello-Robbins ◽  
Kirsten H. Dillon ◽  
Daniel V. Blalock ◽  
Patrick S. Calhoun ◽  
Jean C. Beckham ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Self Injury ◽  
Nonsuicidal Self Injury

The Role of Maternal Self-efficacy in the Link Between Childhood Maltreatment and Maternal Stress During Transition to Motherhood

2021 ◽  
pp. 088626052110428
Author(s):  
Gabriella Bentley ◽  
Osnat Zamir
Keyword(s):  
Childhood Abuse ◽  
Childhood Maltreatment ◽  
Parental Stress ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
History Of Childhood ◽  
Transition To Motherhood ◽  
History Of

The transition to motherhood is a significant developmental milestone in many women’s lives. This transitional period may be more stressful for women with a history of childhood maltreatment (CM) than for women without such a history. This study tested whether parental self-efficacy (PSE) accounts for the link between CM and parental stress in mothers transitioning to motherhood. The study used a convenience sample of 1,306 first-time mothers of children aged two years or younger. Mothers filled out online self-report questionnaires assessing history of CM, PSE, and prenatal stress. Consistent with the hypotheses, exposure to CM was directly associated with greater parental stress. Also, PSE partially mediated the associations between CM and parental stress, such that mothers with a history of childhood abuse reported a lower level of PSE, which in turn was associated with greater parental stress. In conclusion, the study highlights the important role of negative cognitions related to parenting for maternal dysfunction following exposure to childhood abuse. These findings suggest a need to incorporate preventive interventions designed to promote PSE for mothers exposed to CM. Such programs may alleviate parental stress and further support the healthy development of the child.

An exploration of adolescent nonsuicidal self-injury and religious coping

2014 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 345-349 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas J. Westers ◽  
Mark Rehfuss ◽  
Lynn Olson ◽  
Constance M. Wiemann
Keyword(s):  
Religious Coping ◽  
Self Injury ◽  
Negative Religious Coping ◽  
Religious Constructs ◽  
And Function ◽  
Role Of Religion ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Pearson Correlations ◽  
Nonsuicidal Self Injury

Abstract Many adolescents who engage in nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) self-identify as religious, but the role of religion in their NSSI is not known. This exploratory study examined the relationship between religious coping and religiousness among adolescents who self-injure and the function of their NSSI. Thirty adolescents aged 12–19 years who had engaged in NSSI participated in an interview and completed questionnaires. Multiple regressions were used to examine the relationship between religious coping and NSSI, and Pearson correlations were used to assess the relationship between religiousness and function of NSSI. Greater use of positive religious coping was associated with lower likelihood of engaging in NSSI to rid oneself of unwanted emotions, whereas greater use of negative religious coping was associated with greater likelihood of engaging in NSSI for this reason as well as to avoid punishment or unwanted responsibility. Higher religiousness was associated with greater use of NSSI to communicate with or gain attention from others, whereas lower religiousness was associated with greater use of NSSI to relieve unwanted emotions. Having a greater understanding of how religious constructs are related to the various functions served by NSSI may inform treatment of this population, particularly among religious youth who self-injure.

Examining The Link Between Harsh Parenting And Non-Suicidal Self-Injury In Adolescence: The Role of The COMT Val158Met Polymorphism And Depressive Symptoms

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jinmeng Liu ◽  
Xia Liu ◽  
Hui Wang ◽  
Yemiao Gao
Keyword(s):  
High School Students ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Junior High School ◽  
Longitudinal Design ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Harsh Parenting ◽  
Comt Val158met ◽  
Val158met Polymorphism ◽  
Self Injury

Abstract Background: Previous studies have suggested negative parenting environments, especially harsh parenting, is a specific risk factor for non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI). However, the potential mechanism between harsh parenting and NSSI has not been explored. Based on the experiential avoidance model and empirical researches, we aimed to examine if depressive symptoms are a mediator between harsh parenting and NSSI. Moreover, the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) Val158Met polymorphism related to depressive symptoms may also exert a moderating effect on NSSI, thus, the interaction between harsh parenting and COMT were also considered in our study.Method：373 junior high school students were recruited for the study by using a longitudinal design. Adolescents answered self-report questionnaires and provided Saliva samples for DNA genotyping.Result：The results revealed that harsh parenting was positively associated with NSSI after 18 months, and this association was mediated by depressive symptoms. Moreover, the moderating role of COMT in the direct and indirect effect of harsh parenting on NSSI only among adolescents with two Val alleles. However, the relationship was not significant for Met carriers.Conclusion: Genetic variations of COMT Val158Met may be a critical candidate in understanding the development of depression and NSSI. We conclude that the Val homozygotes of the COMT Val158Met polymorphism play a susceptible role both in depressive symptoms and NSSI.

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