Non-suicidal self-injury and eating pathology in high school students.

Abstract

Although past research has explored self-injurious behaviors and disordered eating among adults in clinical settings, little research has been conducted examining nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) and eating pathology in community samples of adolescents. Four hundred and 40 students were screened for the presence of NSSI; a prevalence rate of 13.9% was found. Those who indicated that they engaged in NSSI (n = 59) and a comparison group of non-self-injurers (n = 57) completed the Eating Disorders Inventory. Results indicate that students who engage in NSSI display significantly more eating pathology than their non-NSSI peers, including poor interoceptive awareness; difficulties with impulse regulation; an increased sense of ineffectiveness, distrust, and social insecurity; and increased bulimic tendencies and body dissatisfaction. Relationships were found between increased lifetime frequency of NSSI behaviors and poor impulse control and deficits in affective regulation. In addition, adolescents who had stopped self-injuring reported comparable rates of eating pathology as did adolescents who continued to self-injure. The theoretical connection between NSSI and eating pathology are discussed with reference to enhancing knowledge regarding the characteristics of NSSI.

Occurrence and co-occurrence of nonsuicidal self-injury and disordered eating in a daily diary study: Which behavior, when?

“…An emerging body of research has examined between-person factors that may explain the co-occurrence of NSSI and DE. Findings have implicated traits such as negative urgency (Claes et al, 2015a;Peterson and Fischer, 2012), emotion regulation difficulties (Muehlenkamp et al, 2012;Ross et al, 2009), problems in identity formation (Claes, et al, 2015b), mood and personality disorder symptoms (Yiu et al, 2014), and negative attitudes toward one's body (Muehlenkamp et al, 2011;Turner et al, 2015) in the co-occurrence of these two behaviors.…”

Self Injurious Behavior in Adolescent Girls with Eating Disorders

“…Ross et al (2009) found a NSSI prevalence of 13.9% in students. Students engaging in NSSI compared to non-NSSI students completed the Eating Disorders Inventory: NSSI students showed significantly more eating pathology than their non-NSSI peers.…”

“…Some patients with EDs use SIB to reduce distress and uncomfortable feelings Paul et al, 2002). Since the affective problems precede EDs and SIB, dysregulation of affect could be responsible for the onset of both pathologies, at least in some patients (Ross et al, 2009). …”

“…metaanalysis (1989)(1990)(1991)(1992)(1993)(1994)(1995)(1996)(1997)(1998)(1999)(2000)(2001)(2002)(2003)(2004)(2005) Bjarehed & Lundh (2008) 13-40 ED adolescents, age = 14 cited after Peebles et al, 2011Favaro et al (2008 33 N = 95 (BN-P) Muehlenkamp et al (2009) 14.5 N = 131 (BN) Ross et al (2009) 13.9 male and female high school students, n=440, age=12-17a; significantly more desire for thinness, body dissatisfaction and perfectionism in SIB vs. no-SIB students Skarderud & Sommerfeldt (2009) …”

“…Herpertz (1995) 25-45 psychiatric inpatients (mostly female), n=154 Favara & Santonastaso (1996) 24 (AN-P) 30 (BN) Outpatients, n=398 (cited according to Ross et al, 2009) Favaro & Santonastaso (1998 …”