Citation

Taylor PJ, McDonald J, Smith M, Nicholson H, Forrester R. J. Affect. Disord. 2018; 246: 182-188.

Affiliation

Springpark Mental Health Resource Centre, NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde, Glasgow, Scotland G22 5EU, United Kingdom.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.jad.2018.12.033

PMID

30583143

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Non-Suicidal Self-Injury (NSSI) can have a major impact on the lives of individuals and those around them. The way in which a person feels about and perceives themselves (i.e. self-concept) appears central to understanding NSSI. The current study investigates three variables linked to self-concept: shame, social comparison, and self-concept integration. We examine how well these variables differentiate people who report past NSSI, people who report current NSSI, and people who have never engaged in NSSI.

DESIGN: Cross-sectional.

METHOD: Individuals reporting NSSI in the past year (n = 51), individuals with a history of NSSI but none in the past year (n = 44), and individuals with no history of NSSI (n = 110) were compared on measures of shame, social comparison, and self-concept integration.

RESULTS: Shame was elevated in people with a history of NSSI but did not distinguish between past and current NSSI when other variables were controlled for. Self-concept integration was poorer in people reporting current NSSI than people reporting past NSSI, even when controlling for other variables.

CONCLUSIONS: The results support the role of shame as a general marker for NSSI risk, but suggest self-concept integration may fluctuate more dynamically in relation to the recency of NSSI. The study is limited by a non-matched student control group.

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

Language: en

Keywords

NSSI; Self-concept; Self-injury; Shame; Social comparison