Citation

Jacobson CM, Hill RM, Pettit JW, Grozeva D. Arch. Suicide Res. 2015; 19(4): 401-413.

Affiliation

Department of Psychology , Iona College , New Rochelle , NY.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, International Academy of Suicide Research, Publisher Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/13811118.2015.1004492

PMID

26212592

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), the intentional damage to body tissue without the intent to die is a prevalent public health problem in the US and around the world. The current study sought to identify intrapersonal (emotional reactivity) and interpersonal (emotional expressiveness to others) correlates of NSSI in order to provide insight into how to best tailor prevention and treatment efforts.

METHODS: Four hundred and forty nine college students were surveyed about various psychological characteristics as well as engagement in NSSI.

RESULTS: Results indicated that those who have difficulty expressing emotions are at an increased risk for NSSI even after controlling for depressive symptoms and that emotional expressiveness acts as a partial mediator between depression and NSSI.

CONCLUSIONS: Emotional expressiveness should be a target of treatment among people who engage in NSSI.

Language: en