Experience Of Non-suicidal Self-injury Research Articles

The psychosocial consequences of covid-19 in adolescents with nonsuicidal self-injury

BackgroundYoung people have been especially affected by the psychosocial consequences of the covid-19 pandemic. Covid-19 has potentially also been more stressful for vulnerable groups with mental health problems.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, the psychosocial effects of covid-19 in a vulnerable group of adolescents with nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) from a sample of 1602 Swedish high-school students were examined. Data were collected in 2020 and 2021. First, adolescents with and without NSSI were compared on how they perceived the psychosocial impact of covid-19, and second, a hierarchical multiple regression analysis was used to examine whether lifetime NSSI experience was associated with perceived psychosocial consequences of covid-19, when demographic variables and symptoms of mental health problems were controlled for. Interaction effects were also examined.ResultsSignificantly more individuals with NSSI reported being burdened by covid-19 compared to those without NSSI. When demographic variables and mental health symptoms were controlled for, adding NSSI experience did not, however, increase the amount of variance explained in the model. The total model explained 23.2% of the variance in perceived psychosocial impact of covid-19. Perceiving the family’s financial situation as poor and neither good nor bad, studying a theoretical high school program, symptoms of depression and difficulties with emotion regulation were significantly associated with perceived negative psychosocial impact of the covid-19 pandemic. There was a significant interaction effect between NSSI experience and depressive symptoms. The effect of NSSI experience was larger when depressive symptoms were lower.ConclusionsLifetime NSSI experience in itself was not associated with psychosocial covid-19 consequences when other variables were controlled for, whereas symptoms of depression and difficulties with emotion regulation were. Results imply that vulnerable adolescents with mental health symptoms need special attention and access to mental health support in order to prevent further stress and worsening of mental health symptoms in the wake of the covid-19 pandemic.

How do teens with a history of suicidal behavior and self-harm interact with social media?

This study examines how engagement with depression-related social media content varies by teens who report suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, and nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) versus those who had not experienced each behavior. Teens aged 15-17 years old (N = 93) were recruited from social media platforms from October 2016 toAugust 2018. Participants were asked three open-ended questions about the advantages and disadvantages of networking about depression-related content on social media. We conducted a qualitative analysis to capture themes in responses by question item. Univariate analyses were conducted to compare differences in the frequency of themes endorsed among the behavioral groups versus their counterparts. Among participants (female, 73%; non-White, 45%; sexual minority, 57%), most (93%, n = 87) endorsed depressive symptoms. Sixty-five percent (n = 60) endorsed suicidal ideation within the past year, who were more likely to indicate unhelpful social interactions (p = .02) as a disadvantage of following depression content than peers who did not endorse suicidal ideation within the past year. Eighty percent(n = 74) endorsed lifetime experience of NSSI, who were more likely to indicate negative impact on relationships (p = .01) from posting depression content than peers who did not experience NSSI. Fifty-eight percent (n = 54) endorsed a lifetime suicide attempt, who were more likely to mention offering solutions (p = .03) to someone posting concerning content than peers who did not endorse a lifetime suicide attempt. This study provides diverse and unique perspectives on how engagement with depression-related social media varies by mental health behaviors and informs the use of social media for recruitment and outreach for teens.

For Better or Worse?: The role of cognitive flexibility in the association between nonsuicidal self-injury and suicide attempt

Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) has been repeatedly associated with increased suicide risk. However, the transition from NSSI to suicidal thoughts and behaviors still remains as an enigma. One possible construct that may influence this relationship is cognitive flexibility, which refers to the ability to adapt responses/strategies based on environmental feedback. It may be that greater cognitive flexibility increases one's cognitive accessibility to suicide, making it a more viable option upon distress especially for those with a prior history of NSSI. Conversely, it may be that less cognitive flexibility creates a negative bias that exacerbates the effects of NSSI on suicide. Thus, in this study, we examined how NSSI characteristics (i.e., frequency and methods) interact with cognitive flexibility to predict lifetime suicide attempt (SA) history. Participants were 505 individuals with a lifetime history of NSSI who completed a survey assessing for their NSSI experiences, cognitive flexibility, and SA history. Moderation analyses were conducted while controlling for sexual orientation, which significantly predicted SA history. Results indicated a significant interaction between number of NSSI methods endorsed and cognitive flexibility. In particular, individuals were more likely to have had a history of SA if they scored higher on the alternative subscale of cognitive flexibility. The results suggest that the adaptive value of cognitive flexibility may be context dependent, and highlight the importance of personalized care among those who engage in self-harm.

Does Parental Psychological Control Affect Non-Suicidal Self-Injury of Adolescents via Depression?

This study aimed to examine the effect of parental psychological control on adolescents’ non-suicidal selfinjury and verify whether this effect is mediated by depression. In the first survey of 647 middle and high school students, only those who had experiences of non-suicidal self-injury were selected (136 adolescents). For data analysis purposes, descriptive statistics for each measured variable and Pearson’s correlation coefficients among research variables were calculated. In addition, Process Macro - Model 4 by Hayes (2013) was used to investigate the mediating model. Finally, the bootstrapping method was applied to confirm the significance of the mediating effect. The results of this study were as follows. First, parental psychological control and depression directly affected the frequency of non-suicidal self-injury among adolescents. Second, depression mediated the relationship between parental psychological control and non-suicidal selfinjury. In conclusion, the more parents controlled their children’s psychological factors, the higher the level of depression among adolescents, and as a result, the higher the frequency of non-suicidal self-injury. These findings suggest that educational intervention on parental psychological control is important to prevent and reduce non-suicidal self-injury; however, psychotherapy intervention that reduces the levels of depression should also be required.

청소년 비자살적 자해(NSSI) 과정과 멈춤 경험에 관한 연구

At the adolescent’s NSSI(Non-Suicidal Self-Injury) is getting more risky and more contagious recently in our society and becoming a severe social problem, we need to conduct systemic and empirical research on it. The therapy intervention in NSSI must be different from the therapy intervention in Suicidal self-injury. The purpose of this study was to examine the mediation effects of unconditional self-acceptance and must handle the psychological meaning in context acts of adolescents with NSSI experience. This study aims to understand NSSI through adolescent’s experiences of NSSI and develop a proper therapy intervention. For this purpose, 9 adolescents who are thought to have enough NSSI experience were interviewed in depth and the data from these interviews and research notes were analyzed by using the grounded theory. The results of this analysis revealed 93 concepts, 36 sub categories, 15 superordinate categories and “a product of subjective perception of distressing emotional experience” as the phenomenons. Though external factors and internal factors effect NSSI, the subjective perception of external experience and internal experience is essential for occurrence of NSSI. Based on these result, implications and limitations of the present study are discussed.

Adding Insult to Injury: The Accumulation of Stigmatizing Language on Individuals With Lived Experience of Self-Injury.

Language is a powerful form of communication that not only conveys ideas and knowledge but also can assign meaning and value to the world around us. As such, language has the power to shape our attitudes toward individuals, behaviors, and ideas, by labeling them (indirectly or not) as "good" or "bad." In this way, language can be used to propagate stigma and other unhelpful attitudes toward individuals who already experience stigma. One behavior that may be particularly prone to the impact of unhelpful language is nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI). In this article, we draw on Staniland's NSSI stigma framework to demonstrate how an individual with lived experience of NSSI may be exposed to stigmatizing messaging through 30 different channels, and propose that the accumulation of these messages may be particularly damaging. We conclude by offering practical tips for clinicians and researchers wishing to empathically work with individuals who self-injure.

How Technologies Can Support Self-Injury Self-Management: Perspectives of Young Adults With Lived Experience of Nonsuicidal Self-Injury.

BackgroundThere is growing interest in the design of digital interventions to improve conditions for young people who engage in high-risk behaviors, like nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI). However, few studies have focused on how young people self-manage NSSI, or their existing, and historic, use of technologies to support their goals related to NSSI behavior change. Such an understanding has the potential to inform the design of digital interventions that meet this population's unique needs.ObjectivesThis study aims to (a) understand the self-management practices of young adults who engage in NSSI, (b) explore how they currently use technologies for self-injury self-management, and (c) identify the ways they can envision an app-based technology supporting their self-management.Methods and MaterialsTwenty young adults (aged 18–24) with lived experience of NSSI, and who were not currently enrolled in therapy, were recruited from online venues. Participants completed baseline measures to assess mental health and NSSI characteristics, followed by a virtual 1-h semi-structured interview where they were invited to share their experience of self-management, their goals, and their thoughts on supportive technology. Interview scripts were transcribed and analyzed via thematic analysis.ResultsThemes and sub-themes are organized under two broad domain areas: (1) How young adults self-manage NSSI thoughts and behaviors and (2) Opportunities and challenges for digital interventions to assist young adults in their recovery process. We found that young adults had varied experiences with, and goals related to, NSSI. Participants reported a lack of effective strategies to reduce NSSI urges and a desire for an app-based technology to track patterns and deliver personalized suggestions for self-management. Participants reported existing use of technologies as part of self-management, as well as early information and support seeking for NSSI online.ConclusionsThis study contributes a greater understanding of young people's experiences with self-injury, their self-management practices, and their desire to engage with technology. Our findings highlight the need for design flexibility in developing digital interventions that support individual goals, unique presentations of NSSI, and needs at different phases of recovery. Implications for the design of highly personalized and relevant digital interventions to address NSSI are discussed.

“You leave the chat with a different feeling than when you came in”. A Content Analysis about Negative Experiences Following Instant Messaging among Adolescents with and without a History of Non-Suicidal Self-Injury

BACKGROUND: Instant messaging platforms seem to positively contribute to adolescent emotional well-being. However, some scholars show a link between the use of these platforms and negative emotional experiences. These emotions could be perceived as even more overwhelming for certain subgroups of adolescents, such as those who engage in non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), and lead to self-injury to deal with otherwise difficult to handle feelings.
 OBJECTIVE: The current study aimed at providing a deeper understanding of what kind of experiences during instant messaging communications are perceived as emotionally upsetting by adolescents with and without NSSI, and which situations could trigger NSSI thoughts or attempts in adolescents with lived experiences.
 METHOD: We used content analysis to analyze short interviews conducted with a total of 17 adolescents with and without lived experiences of NSSI.
 RESULTS: Our results showed that experience of Involvement in conflicts, and especially Name-calling and insults, triggered negative emotional experiences for most adolescents (76.5%). Interpersonal stressors like Name-calling and insults, Disagreements or arguments, Unwanted contact, Friendship break-up and “Ghosting” were identified as major triggers for NSSI.
 CONCLUSION: These findings could be used for the purpose of facilitating future research into mapping negative experiences adolescents have on instant messaging platforms, as well as used as a clinical guide to identify situations related to NSSI thoughts or episodes.

Psychologists with lived experience of non-suicidal self-injury: Priorities, obstacles, and recommendations for inclusion.

The science and practice of psychology are improved by fostering an inclusive environment for professionals with lived experience of mental illness, sometimes referred to as "prosumers". Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is an increasingly prevalent behavior that occurs across the spectra of mental disorders, and that is associated with greater stigma than many other mental health concerns. Further, individuals with lived experience of NSSI may face unique challenges, for instance, due to the visible nature of NSSI scarring. In this commentary, we describe the negative consequences associated with stigmatizing and excluding people with lived experience of NSSI from the profession of psychology, both for impacted individuals and for the field as a whole. We then provide recommendations to individuals with and without lived experience of NSSI to facilitate inclusion of people with lived experience of NSSI in clinical, research, teaching, and leadership domains. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Addressing Self-Injury Stigma: The Promise of Innovative Digital and Video Action-Research Methods

Stigma associated with non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), the deliberate damage of one’s body tissue for non-lethal reasons, is highly complex, far-reaching, and can have profound effects (e.g., shame, low self-esteem, thwarted help-seeking) on individuals with lived experience of NSSI. In concert with calls for greater inclusion of people with lived experience in NSSI research and advocacy, there are several robust and potentially impactful visual and digital research methods that directly involve individuals with lived experience, and which carry potential to tackle stigma. These methods, namely digital storytelling, photovoice, and participatory video, are largely underrepresented in contemporary NSSI research. Hence, the present commentary presents a concise overview of these methods and highlights their potential to address NSSI stigma.

The subjective experience of non-suicidal self-injury among female Chinese university students

Objective The purpose of this study was to explore the subjective experience of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) among female Chinese university students in Hong Kong. Design Interpretative phenomenological analysis was used. Methods Seven female students participated in the study, two engaged in biting and scratching, and three in cutting. Results The majority of them indicated negative attitudes towards NSSI and saw no particular meaning attached to it. However, they all persisted with their behaviours, which suggested that they were unable to stop. Students found themselves in a paradoxical situation whereby although they saw no real benefit of NSSI, they still engaged in it to cope with distress. Feelings characterised by this distress were about entrapment and issues with academia, intimacy, loneliness, insecurity, negative self-worth, regulating distressing emotions, increasing positive physical sensations, healing oneself, and feeling alive. Conclusions The experience of hurting themselves persistently for these female students symbolised their struggle with academic or relationship difficulties, self-acceptance, emotional regulation and survival without self-injury.

‘Why is it so different now I’m bisexual?’: young bisexual people’s experiences of identity, belonging, self-injury, and COVID19

ABSTRACT Bisexual people demonstrate higher rates of Non-Suicidal Self-Injury (NSSI) in comparison to other groups. This study aimed to explore bisexual people’s experiences of sexuality, NSSI and the COVID19 pandemic. Fifteen bisexual people (16–25 years old) with experience of NSSI participated in online qualitative interviews. Thematic analysis was used. Preliminary findings were shared with a subset of participants for member-checking. Participants described experiences of falling between the binary worlds of heterosexuality and homosexuality and described discrimination and invalidation related to this. Lack of access to positive bisexual representation contributed to feelings of self-loathing, with NSSI used to manage emotions or self-punish. The effect of lockdown was not clear cut, depending on personal circumstances and meanings of social interaction for participants. There is a need for greater recognition of significant societal narratives around bisexuality within clinical formulations of mental health difficulties and NSSI within this population.

Self-Injury Is My Drug: The Functions of Describing Nonsuicidal Self-Injury as an Addiction.

Adolescents and emerging adults who engage in nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) often participate in online activity regarding their self-injury. Of particular importance are the potential benefits and risks associated with online NSSI activity, including how individuals describe their NSSI experiences. One way that individuals describe these experiences is by discussing NSSI as an addiction. Accordingly, we used thematic analysis to explore why individuals may use addiction references to describe their NSSI experiences. To do this, we examined 71 posts from a popular NSSI social network. Four themes emerged: difficulty inherent in stopping, authentication, warn others, and communicate the plight of the behavior. Findings highlight a number of avenues for research as well as implications for clinicians working with clients who self-injure perceive NSSI as an addiction. Mental health professionals can leverage their understanding of clients' perceptions of NSSI to better serve this population.

"Smartphone Apps Are Cool, But Do They Help Me?": A Qualitative Interview Study of Adolescents' Perspectives on Using Smartphone Interventions to Manage Nonsuicidal Self-Injury.

Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a major mental health problem associated with negative psychosocial outcomes and it most often starts in early adolescence. Despite this, adolescents are rarely involved in informing the development of interventions designed to address their mental health problems. This study aimed to (1) assess adolescents’ needs and preferences about future interventions that are delivered through smartphones and (2) develop a framework with implications for designing engaging digital mental health interventions. Fifteen adolescent girls, aged 12–18 years, who met diagnostic criteria for a current NSSI disorder and were in contact with mental health services, participated in semi-structured interviews. Following a reflexive thematic analysis approach, this study identified two main themes: (1) Experiences of NSSI (depicts the needs of young people related to their everyday experiences of managing NSSI) and (2) App in Context (portrays preferences of young people about smartphone interventions and reflects adolescents’ views on how technology itself can improve or hinder engaging with these interventions). Adolescent patients expressed interest in using smartphone mental health interventions if they recognize them as helpful, relevant for their life situation and easy to use. The developed framework suggests that digital mental health interventions are embedded in three contexts (i.e., person using the intervention, mental health condition, and technology-related factors) which together need to inform the development of engaging digital resources. To achieve this, the cooperation among people with lived experience, mental health experts, and human computer interaction professionals is vital.

NON-SUICIDAL SELF-INJURY EXPERIENCES FOR ADOLESCENTS WHO SELF-INJURED - CONTRIBUTIONS OF WINNICOTT’S PSYCHOANALYTIC THEORY

ABSTRACT Objective: to identify and analyze the elements present in non-suicidal self-injury experiences by adolescents who self-injured. Method: a qualitative research, with data collection conducted from August to October 2019 through individual therapeutic consultations, mediated by the dialogical resource Drawing-Story with Theme Procedure. Participants were eight adolescents who reported self-injury in a school of a municipality in the countryside of São Paulo, Brazil. Thematic analysis was developed from data anchored in Winnicott’s psychoanalytic theory. Results: two thematic categories were identified: “I think nobody cares about me” and “I do not see the colors I used to see before”. The elements present in adolescents’ experiences on non-suicidal self-injury highlighted the importance of a physical and relational environment that offers holding and is able to integrate characteristics of the adolescence process itself. The importance of a family and peer support network, as well as the need for family, school and health professionals to be involved in coping with and preventing non-suicidal self-injury stands out. Conclusion: non-suicidal self-injury is a multiple phenomenon, closely related to the environment, which deserves attention and care in the field of child and adolescent health. The issues present in the process of becoming an adolescent emerge as essential elements for understanding and coping with non-suicidal self-injury. Due to their multiple characteristics, coping and prevention policies should include several areas, such as health, education, and social assistance. The presence of mental health programs in schools is fundamental.

Self-injury recovery: A person-centered framework.

Growing interest has been paid to the concept of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) recovery. In research, and sometimes clinical practice, the focus has been on NSSI cessation, with recovery operationalised with reference to the time since someone last self-injured. Yet, perspectives from people with lived experience of NSSI indicate that recovery is much more complex. Drawing on recent empirical work, and the voices of people with lived experience of NSSI, we outline a new framework for conceptualizing NSSI recovery. We argue that recovery is nonlinear and multifaceted, comprising: Realistic Expectations and Setbacks; Normalizing Thoughts and Urges; Fostering Self-efficacy; Identifying Strengths; Finding Alternatives; Addressing Underlying Adversities; Addressing and Accepting Scarring; Navigating Disclosures; and Self-acceptance. In presenting research and clinical implications of this new framework, we propose that this framing offers a more complete understanding of NSSI recovery-one conducive to optimizing wellbeing and promoting resilience among individuals with lived experience.

NSSI (Nonsuicidal Self-Injury) pada Dewasa Muda di Jakarta: Studi fenomenologi interpretatif

Studi di Indonesia tentang perilaku menyakiti diri sendiri dengan motif tidak bunuh diri (non-suicidal self-injury; NSSI) berdasarkan penghayatan pelaku belum banyak dilakukan. Padahal hal ini penting untuk memperkaya pemahaman akan kemunculan NSSI serta strategi penanganan klinisnya. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk memahami pengalaman dan pemaknaan individu yang melakukan NSSI. Dengan menggunakan pendekatan fenomenologis, wawancara dilakukan pada empat perempuan dewasa muda (usia 21–22 tahun) di Jakarta yang melakukan NSSI yang dimulai pada usia yang berbeda-beda. Analisis fenomenologis interpretatif mengidentifikasi adanya lima tema dalam pengalaman mereka: perasaan lega, sembunyi–sembunyi, tanpa kesadaran penuh, berulang, dan kecenderungan bunuh diri. Semakin lama individu melakukan NSSI, maka semakin besar kemungkinannya untuk melakukan bunuh diri. Keempat partisipan memaknai pengalaman NSSI-nya sebagai cara untuk mengatasi perasaan hampa dan emosi-emosi negatif. Penelitian ini memberi informasi yang diharapkan bermanfaat bagi upaya pencegahan dan penanganan kasus NSSI.

Predictors of non-suicidal self-injury cessation in adults who self-injured during adolescence

Most studies of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) investigate individuals who are currently self-injuring. The current study aimed to identify factors associated with continuation or cessation of NSSI from adolescence to adulthood. Adult participants (n = 724) completed an online cross-sectional survey of their experiences of NSSI in adolescence, the functions served by NSSI, and measures of current role functioning and psychological well-being. The functions of NSSI in adolescence significantly predicted cessation or continuation of NSSI in adulthood. Intrapersonal functions of NSSI increased the likelihood of ongoing self-harm, whereas interpersonal functions of NSSI increased the likelihood of cessation of self-harm in adulthood. Cessation of NSSI was also associated with increasing age and having previously received mental health treatment. Participants who had ceased NSSI in adulthood reported lower rates of psychological distress, greater life satisfaction, were more likely to be engaged in work and had achieved a higher level of education overall. The study was cross-sectional and relied on retrospective accounts of those participants who had ceased NSSI. The vast majority of participants were female and Australian, so generalizability beyond this population must consider this limitation. Many individuals who engage in NSSI in adolescence successfully cease self-harming by adulthood. Cessation of NSSI is associated with better psychological well-being and higher role functioning. Ongoing NSSI from adolescence to adulthood is likely where NSSI serves intrapersonal functions. Clinical intervention must be a priority in such cases.

Parents' Attitudes Toward and Experience of Non-Suicidal Self-Injury in Adolescents: A Qualitative Study.

BackgroundNon-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is prevalent in adolescents and brings a series of serious consequences to their well-being. However, little is known about parents’ attitude toward NSSI in Chinese adolescents. The study aims to investigate the parents’ attitudes toward and perceptions of adolescents who have engaged in NSSI behaviors, and the impact of NSSI on their parents.MethodsPurposive sampling was used in the study. The biological parents of adolescents with NSSI were recruited from the psychiatric ward of a tertiary hospital in China. Semi-structured interviews were conducted which contained three aspects, that is the history of NSSI, the process of seeking or maintaining help and the impacts on the family. Each interview typically lasted 40–50 min. All of the interviews were audio-recorded. Their responses were analyzed by the thematic analysis.ResultsTwenty participants completed the interview, consisting of 16 mothers and 4 fathers. Three themes and eight sub-themes were extracted: (1) the attitudes to children’s NSSI behaviors (ignorance, shame, and stereotype); (2) coping strategies of parents (the initial response to adolescents’ NSSI, and the way of help-seeking); (3) the impacts on family (altered parenting and communication styles, limited personal lives, and increased psychological pressure).ConclusionThe results showed that parents lack the knowledge about NSSI and its treatment and are suffering great emotional stress. It is recommended to expand the popularization of knowledge of NSSI in adolescents and more interventions adapted to China’s sociocultural climate are required for the well-being of parents and NSSI in adolescents.

Rejection sensitivity and adolescent non-suicidal self-injury: Mediation through depressive symptoms and moderation by fear of self-compassion.

Rejection sensitivity is a risk trait that contributes to the relationships between rejection experiences in various domains and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI). However, research about the association between rejection sensitivity and NSSI has still been understudied. This study sought to examine the mediating role of depressive symptoms and the moderating role of fear of self-compassion in the association between rejection sensitivity and adolescent NSSI. A cross-sectional correlational design was employed through which rejection sensitivity, depressive symptoms, fear of self-compassion, and NSSI experiences in the past year were measured. Seven-hundred twenty-eight Chinese secondary school students (51.1% females; mean age=14.07, SD=0.75) were included by convenient sampling. Regression analyses revealed that depressive symptoms worked as a mediator in the association between rejection sensitivity and NSSI. It was also found that fear of self-compassion acted as a moderator, such that a higher level of fear of self-compassion strengthened the link between rejection sensitivity and depressive symptoms and the direct link between rejection sensitivity and NSSI. These findings highlight the need to address adolescents' rejection sensitivity, depressive symptoms, and fear of self-compassion in preventing and intervening NSSI. Focusing on rejection sensitivity might help understand the relationships between intra- and interpersonal distress and NSSI. The findings of this study evidenced the risk effect of adolescents' rejection sensitivity on NSSI and the partial mediation of depressive symptoms in the link. Targeting adolescents' rejection sensitivity will be beneficial in developing NSSI-related prevention and intervention programs. This study also found that adolescents' fear of self-compassion magnified the associations between rejection sensitivity, depressive symptoms, and NSSI. It suggests that targeting adolescent's fear of self-compassion will also be beneficial.