A New Integrative Model For The Co-Occurrence of Non-Suicidal Self-Injury Behaviours and Eating Disorder Symptoms
Abstract Objective: The high co-occurrence of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) behaviours and eating disorder (ED) symptoms suggests these conditions share common aetiological processes. We assessed whether insecure attachment and maladaptive schemas were related to NSSI and ED symptoms through affect dysregulation, impulsivity, self-esteem, and body dissatisfaction. Method:123 ED patients and 531 individuals from the community completed an online survey, which included measures assessing the variables of interest. Results: The model was a good fit for the ED group, however only a revised model reached an acceptable fit for the community sample. In the community group, impulsivity was a shared predictor for NSSI and bulimic symptoms, whereas affect dysregulation was a unique predictor for NSSI in both the ED and community groups. No other variables were shared by NSSI and ED symptoms in the two groups. Both attachment and maladaptive schemas were implicated in the pathways leading to ED and NSSI symptoms in the clinical ED and the community sample. The variance explained for NSSI and drive for thinness were highest for the clinical ED sample (29% and 57% respectively). Conclusion: Common factors may underlie NSSI and ED symptoms, however, these factors may become more specific and less prevalent as a function of disorder severity.