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Functional Coping Dynamics and Experiential Avoidance in a Community Sample with No Self-Injury vs. Non-Suicidal Self-Injury Only vs. Those with Both Non-Suicidal Self-Injury and Suicidal Behaviour

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  • Emma Nielsen

    (Self-Harm Research Group, School of Psychology, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham , NG7 2RD, UK)

  • Kapil Sayal

    (Division of Psychiatry and Applied Psychology, Institute of Mental Health, University of Nottingham, Innovation Park, Triumph Road, Nottingham, NG7 2TU, UK)

  • Ellen Townsend

    (Self-Harm Research Group, School of Psychology, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham , NG7 2RD, UK)

Abstract

Although emotional avoidance may be a critical factor in the pathway from psychological distress to self-injury and/or suicidality, little is known about the relative importance of differing functional coping dynamics and experiential avoidance between people with self-injury histories of differing intent (e.g., Non-Suicidal Self-Injury only vs. Non-Suicidal Self-Injury plus Suicidal Behaviour; NSSI vs. NSSI + SB). A community-based survey (N = 313; female, 81%; ages 16–49 years, M = 19.78, SD = 3.48) explored self-reported experiential avoidance and functional coping dynamics in individuals with (i) no self-injury history (controls); (ii) a history of NSSI only; and (iii) a history of NSSI + SB. Jonckheere-Terpstra trend tests indicated that avoidance coping was higher in the NSSI and NSSI + SB groups than in controls. Emotion regulation was higher in controls than those with a history of self-injury (NSSI and NSSI + SB). Approach and reappraisal coping demonstrated significant ordered effects such that control participants were higher in these coping dynamics than those with a history of NSSI only, who, in turn, were higher than those with a history of NSSI + SB (Control > NSSI > NSSI + SB). Endorsement of the reappraisal/denial facet of experiential avoidance was most pronounced in those with a history of NSSI + SB (Control < NSSI < NSSI + SB). No significant ordered effects were observed for other dimensions of experiential avoidance. Understanding how the endorsement of functional coping dynamics and which components of experiential avoidance vary between groups with differing self-injury intent histories has important implications for treatment planning.

Suggested Citation

  • Emma Nielsen & Kapil Sayal & Ellen Townsend, 2017. "Functional Coping Dynamics and Experiential Avoidance in a Community Sample with No Self-Injury vs. Non-Suicidal Self-Injury Only vs. Those with Both Non-Suicidal Self-Injury and Suicidal Behaviour," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-12, May.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:14:y:2017:i:6:p:575-:d:99950
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Emma Nielsen & Kapil Sayal & Ellen Townsend, 2016. "Exploring the Relationship between Experiential Avoidance, Coping Functions and the Recency and Frequency of Self-Harm," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(7), pages 1-20, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Anja Čuš & Julian Edbrooke-Childs & Susanne Ohmann & Paul L. Plener & Türkan Akkaya-Kalayci, 2021. "“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," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-15, March.
    2. Cecilia Peñacoba Puente & Carlos Suso-Ribera & Sheila Blanco Rico & Dolores Marín & Jesús San Román Montero & Patricia Catalá, 2021. "Is the Association between Postpartum Depression and Early Maternal–Infant Relationships Contextually Determined by Avoidant Coping in the Mother?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(2), pages 1-14, January.
    3. Tie Hua Zhou & Gong Liang Hu & Ling Wang, 2019. "Psychological Disorder Identifying Method Based on Emotion Perception over Social Networks," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(6), pages 1-17, March.
    4. Chang Wei & Jingjing Li & Chengfu Yu & Yanhan Chen & Shuangju Zhen & Wei Zhang, 2021. "Deviant Peer Affiliation and Non-Suicidal Self-Injury among Chinese Adolescents: Depression as a Mediator and Sensation Seeking as a Moderator," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-10, August.

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