ABSTRACTIntroductionAs many as 70% of individuals experiencing self‐injurious thoughts and behaviors (SITBs) access online content relevant to SITBs. Despite this, no prior research has investigated momentary effects of the use of this content, which may help explain functionality of this type of internet use. This study investigated the short‐term effects of engaging SITB‐related internet use on NSSI thoughts and suicidal ideation (SI). We additionally differentiated the effects of pro‐recovery versus pro‐SITB content.MethodsParticipants completed 1 week of EMA measures of suicidal ideation, NSSI thoughts, and SITB‐related online content use before and after engaging with this online content.ResultsWe found a significant decrease in SI and NSSI thoughts from pre‐ to post‐use, indicating that engaging in SITB‐related content was associated with a decrease in SITB‐related thoughts. Valence was significantly predictive of changes in NSSI, but not SI, with pro‐recovery content associated with changes in more adaptive directions. Pro‐SITB content was not associated with poorer outcomes.ConclusionSITB‐related content was associated with a significant decrease in SITB‐related thoughts. Pro‐recovery content was the most impactful, showing the largest decrease. Better understanding the unique effects of engaging with this content online has implications for both clinical care and social media policy.

ABSTRACTObjectiveAlthough previous research has established bidirectional links between many eating disorder (ED) symptoms and suicidal ideation (SI), no research has examined how symptoms of avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) longitudinally relate to SI, which is the current study's aim.MethodsIranian adolescents completed questionnaires assessing ARFID symptoms, other ED symptoms, and SI across three timepoints (T1 [N = 1243], T2 [n = 856], T3 [n = 639]). We used a latent growth curve model with structured residuals to examine reciprocal associations across time.ResultMost between‐subject associations were significant. Within‐person analyses showed body dissatisfaction, cognitive restraint, restriction, and SI predicted increases in each other over time, but ARFID symptoms did not predict other changes. In the ARFID subsample, some associations were nonsignificant; ARFID symptoms still did not predict other symptoms, while other key variables continued to predict each other.ConclusionsED symptoms were temporally linked, with SI consistently predicting all ED symptoms, including ARFID. In the ARFID subsample, ARFID symptoms did not predict other ED behaviors but were predicted by prior SI and body dissatisfaction. Findings suggest ED symptoms may help regulate affect in adolescents with SI, warranting further research.