Shame-related functions of and motivations for self-injurious behavior.

Abstract

Drawing on the self-injury and self-conscious emotion literatures, this study examined the functions of and motivations for self-injury in 67 women, 25 of whom had a history of nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI). Specifically, the present study tested whether women with a history of NSSI engaged in such behavior in order to reduce shame, in particular, and whether shame-related constructs represent important motivational factors for NSSI. To do so, participants completed (a) self-reports of NSSI functions and relevant personality dimensions (e.g., shame-proneness; shame aversion); and (b) a pain-inducing laboratory task with assessments of state emotions pre- and post-task. Elevations in aversion to general negative affect were associated with presence (vs. absence) of an NSSI history. However, consistent with a role for shame in NSSI, among women with an NSSI history, endorsement of shame regulation functions was positively associated with the frequency of NSSI. Moreover, elevations in shame-proneness were associated with more frequent NSSI, even after taking relevant, broader personality dimensions (e.g., proneness to general negative affect) into account. Finally, following the laboratory task, women with and without an NSSI history experienced reductions in state shame. Future directions for and clinical implications of the present research are discussed.

The underlying role of posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms in the association between intimate partner violence and deliberate self-harm among African American women

“…Indeed, shame-related appraisals of trauma have been hypothesized to (a) directly produce PTSD symptoms, (b) prevent change in shame-related appraisals of the trauma and its sequalae, and (c) prevent change in the nature of the trauma memory (80). Importantly, shame has also been identified as an important factor driving DSH (33, 81, 82). Initial research provides support for the shame regulating function of DSH, such that motivations for DSH are often shame-related (33) and pain-inducing tasks in the laboratory result in a reduction in state shame DSH (81).…”

“…Importantly, shame has also been identified as an important factor driving DSH (33, 81, 82). Initial research provides support for the shame regulating function of DSH, such that motivations for DSH are often shame-related (33) and pain-inducing tasks in the laboratory result in a reduction in state shame DSH (81). Notably, however, no studies to date have examined the DSH-shame relation among IPV-exposed women generally or African American women in particular.…”

Self‐conscious emotions in worry and generalized anxiety disorder

“…Using a 1–7 scale, participants indicate their agreement with each of 14 statements (e.g., ‘Feeling inadequate troubles me more than anything else’). The ShARQ has displayed good convergent validity and internal consistency in previous research (see Schoenleber & Berenbaum, , ; Schoenleber, Berenbaum, & Motl, ). Internal consistency for the ShARQ was also good in the present sample (α = .83).…”

Gender differences in the prevalence of nonsuicidal self-injury: A meta-analysis

“…As with all complex behaviors, there are likely multiple factors at play. For instance, gender socialization of emotion may impact the type of emotions men and women experience in a way that leads women to be more likely to engage in NSSI (e.g., shame versus anger; Schoenleber & Berenbaum, 2012;Schoenleber, Berenbaum & Motl, 2014). Another possibility is that the way women have been found to sometimes deal with their emotions (e.g., rumination) may increase the risk of NSSI (e.g., Selby & Joiner, 2009).…”