Aggression directed towards others vs. aggression directed towards the self: clinical differences between intermittent explosive disorder and nonsuicidal self-injury

Abstract

Objective:To investigate the clinical differences between intermittent explosive disorder (IED) (disorder of aggression primarily directed towards others) and nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) (disorder of aggression predominantly directed towards the self) in order to better understand the different clinical subtypes of aggression.Methods:We used treatment-seeking samples to compare demographic and clinical correlates between 82 participants with IED and 55 participants with NSSI.Results:The IED group was older, more likely to be male, in a relationship, and employed than the NSSI group. With respect to clinical variables, the NSSI group had more severe depressive symptoms and more social adjustment difficulties. Regarding psychiatric co-morbidities, the IED group had higher rates of generalized anxiety disorder. On the other hand, the NSSI group had higher rates of major depressive disorder, agoraphobia, substance use disorder, and bulimia nervosa.Conclusions:Individuals with NSSI may benefit from better management of psychiatric comorbidities, specifically depressive symptoms and social adjustment difficulties. Conversely, the treatment of individuals with IED may be improved by targeting comorbid generalized anxiety disorder. Our results provide important insight for the development of tailored interventions for specific subtypes of aggression.

The Role of Psychological Factors in Non-suicidal Self-injury of Female Adolescents

“…Aggression was another factor that showed a significant effect, which is consistent with previous studies (30,31,52). Dodge et al (53) indicated that aggression factors, such as parents' aggressive behavior, gender, economic and cultural conditions, and hostile bias can result in aggressive behaviors.…”

“…Dodge et al (53) indicated that aggression factors, such as parents' aggressive behavior, gender, economic and cultural conditions, and hostile bias can result in aggressive behaviors. Aggressive behavior of adolescents increases due to the lack of development in advanced social skills, and especially their parents play a key role in their ability to deal with stressful situations (52). In the first author's interview, one of the participants responded that when others treat me aggressively, I repeat the same behavior.…”