A cognitive-emotional model of NSSI: using emotion regulation and cognitive processes to explain why people self-injure

Abstract

Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a complex behaviour, routinely engaged for emotion regulatory purposes. As such, a number of theoretical accounts regarding the aetiology and maintenance of NSSI are grounded in models of emotion regulation; the role that cognition plays in the behaviour is less well known. In this paper, we summarise four models of emotion regulation that have repeatedly been related to NSSI and identify the core components across them. We then draw on social cognitive theory to unite models of cognition and models of emotion in developing a new cognitive-emotional model of NSSI. Our model articulates how emotion regulation and cognition can work in concert to govern NSSI, and offers several new research questions that can be addressed within this framework.

The Non‐Suicidal Self‐Injury Expectancy Questionnaire: Factor structure and initial validation

“…Recent theoretical and empirical work supports a role for NSSI‐related cognitions, including outcome expectancies, in the initiation, maintenance and cessation of NSSI (Hasking et al, in press; Hasking & Rose, ). In this study we aimed to develop and validate a measure of NSSI outcome expectancies that could be used in future empirical work that seeks to better understand how outcome expectancies relate to emotional experience, emotion regulation, and NSSI.…”

“…However, functional accounts fail to consider that people who do not self‐injure may also hold cognitions and beliefs regarding the anticipated outcomes of NSSI. Consideration of outcome expectancies held, both by people who self‐injure and by people who do not, may identify patterns of cognition that increase risk of NSSI, or protect against NSSI for people who do not engage in the behaviour (Hasking, Whitlock, Voon, & Rose, in press). Similarly, expectancies held by people who have ceased their self‐injury may hold clues about which cognitions can be targets of intervention, and which might be related to risk of relapse.…”

Applying a cognitive‐emotional model to nonsuicidal self‐injury

“…The relationships between emotional reactivity, emotion regulation, rumination, and NSSI are reflected in the models currently used to explain the aetiology and maintenance of NSSI. However, recently, it has been argued that for a more complete understanding of NSSI, the role of core cognitions such as beliefs and thoughts relating to self‐injury need to be considered (Hasking, Whitlock, Voon, & Rose, ).…”

“…Social cognitive theory (Bandura, , ) proposes that personal factors (i.e., cognitions and affect), behaviours, and environment influence each other in bidirectional relationships. Most relevant to NSSI are the roles of cognitions (i.e., outcome expectancies and self‐efficacy) in the learning and maintenance of the behaviour (Hasking et al, ). Outcome expectancies are an individual's consideration of possible consequences of their behaviour, influencing the likelihood of engaging in that behaviour (Bandura, ).…”

Особенности Молодых Людей С Самоповреждениями И Предшествующими Попытками В Остром Суицидальном Кризисе

“…Все начинается с эмоциональных стимулов, которые усиливаются циклом руминаций -повторяющихся мыслей о причинах, ситуационных факторах и последствиях негативного эмоционального опыта. Кроме того, недавно была предложена когнитивно-эмоциональная модель НСП, интегрирующая вышеперечисленные модели [25]. В ней утверждается, что люди со склонностью к эмоциональной реактивности, негативными схемами «я», ожиданиями, что НСП поможет им достичь желаемого эмоционального состояния и убеждённостью в своей способности к НСП, а также со слабыми способностями к регуляции эмоций, более склонны к такому поведению.…”