Citation

Hasking PA, Boyes M, Greves S. Psychiatry Res. 2018; 270: 335-340.

Affiliation

School of Psychology and Speech Pathology, Curtin University Kent St, Bentley, 6845, Australia. Electronic address: stuart.greves@student.curtin.edu.au.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.psychres.2018.09.045

PMID

30292086

Abstract

We examined the relationship between self-efficacy and three behaviours that can serve similar affect-regulatory functions (self-injury, risky alcohol use, disordered eating). We proposed that general self-efficacy would be indirectly related to each outcome, operating via emotion regulatory self-efficacy and behaviour-specific self-efficacy. A path analysis confirmed this proposal in a sample of 490 university students, who completed questionnaires assessing the constructs of interest. Emotion regulatory self-efficacy was a salient predictor of self-injury and disordered eating, evidencing both direct and indirect relationships. Self-efficacy to resist each of the behaviours was uniquely related to its target behaviour. We discuss these findings, outlining the implications for a theoretical understanding of emotion-regulatory behaviours, and offer suggestions for prevention and early intervention initiatives.

Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Language: en

Keywords

Disordered eating; NSSI; Risky drinking; Self-efficacy