Self-injury in young bisexual people: a micro-longitudinal investigation (SIBL) of rumination and binegativity on non-suicidal self-injury

Abstract

Listen

Translate article

ABSTRACT Bisexual people have been found to have a higher risk of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) than other sexualities (heterosexual people, gay men). Theories suggest that rumination and discrimination may contribute to the increased risk. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the association state rumination and binegativity have with NSSI urges and behaviour in young bisexual people. The present study was part of a larger research project, the Self-Injury in young Bisexual people: A micro-Longitudinal investigation (SIBL) study. The present study utilised a micro-longitudinal, single group design to assess rumination, binegativity and NSSI every week for a six-week period. Multi-level linear regression was used to examine the association between study variables and NSSI urges and behaviour at the same time point and with the predictors lagged by one week. A total of 207 bisexual young people were recruited to the SIBL research project. Rumination and binegativity were found to be associated with NSSI urges, both concurrently, and prospectively, even when adjusting for other variables. Rumination and binegativity were also associated with NSSI, but only in concurrent analyses. Binegativity did not interact with self-compassion when predicting concurrent NSSI urges or behaviour. Limitations include the reliance on self-selection and self-report data, which may have resulted in biased results and inflated relationships. In addition, the sample were 80% White with 76% of people residing in the UK or U.S.A. Both rumination and binegativity are associated with NSSI risk in young bisexual people. Psychological interventions that target rumination may be beneficial, alongside social interventions to reduce binegativity. Future research should focus on testing a rumination-focused therapy with this population or investigating additional factors with a non-bisexual comparison group.