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Self-harm is a major public health concern. In order to respond to self-harm effectively, it is important to understand the factors associated with self-harm with and without suicidal intent. To this end, we investigated psychological factors selected from the Integrated Motivational-Volitional (IMV) model of suicidal behaviour in individuals who had recently been admitted to hospital for self-harm, with the aim of examining the characteristics of those who expressed intent to die versus those without suicidal intent. Individuals (n = 500, 60.6% female) admitted to two hospitals in central Scotland following self-harm with (suicide attempt [SA] group, n = 336) or without (non-suicidal self-harm [NSSH] group, n = 164) suicidal intent completed a range of psychological measures. Over half of the participants reported previous episodes of self-harm (SA, n = 239, 71.1%; NSSH, n = 91, 55.5%). Univariate analyses revealed that the SA and NSSH groups differed on some of the psychological measures with higher depressive symptoms, defeat, entrapment, acquired capability and impulsivity in the SA compared to the NSSH group. In the multivariate model, suicidal ideation, defeat, internal entrapment and perceived burdensomeness independently differentiated between the groups. These findings highlight the complex profiles of individuals presenting at hospital with self-harm and emphasise the need to investigate differences between subtypes of self-harm in order to support individuals optimally. Applying frameworks such as the IMV model to further understanding of self-harm might assist in the development of targeted psychological interventions to reduce risk of repeat self-harm or suicide., (Copyright © 2021. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Objective: The goal of this study was to develop and validate a measure of self-rated positive and negative beliefs about one's non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), the Experiences of Self-Injury Questionnaire (ESIQ)., Method: Psychometric properties and validation against NSSI severity and shame were tested in two U.S. and two U.K. samples of individuals who endorsed a history of NSSI., Results: Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses indicated five factors. Subscales were labeled Positive Beliefs, Personal Dislike, Interpersonal Concern, Emotional Suppression, and Emotional Expression. The Positive Beliefs Subscale covers beliefs that NSSI is valuable. Scores on this subscale were associated with endorsement of NSSI frequency, NSSI urges, and perceived likelihood of future NSSI. Other subscales showed validity in that they all showed unique effects on outcome indices of NSSI severity or shame., Conclusion: The ESIQ shows promise as a brief reliable measure of beliefs about and experiences of NSSI.

Objectives: The way that individuals perceive themselves and others may be relevant in understanding difficulties with self-harm. Repertory grids provide a relatively underutilized means of investigating self-concept in people who self-harm. This study aimed to examine the association between self-concept, captured through a repertory grid method, and self-harm., Method: Ninety-eight participants with a history of self-harm took part in the study. A repertory grid was used to derive distances between four elements ('current self', 'ideal self', 'self-harming self', and 'others who self-harm'). Associations between these distances and measures of self-harm behaviour, well-being and perceived recovery, were estimated., Results: Repertory grid distances were significantly associated with self-harm. When adjusting for covariates, self-harm in the past year was positively associated with a greater distance (or less perceived similarity) between current and ideal self, and a smaller distance (greater perceived similarity) between current self and others who self-harm. Repertory grid distances were also associated with well-being and perceived recovery., Conclusions: The results are consistent with the idea that self-perception is associated with self-harm and related difficulties. The results also highlight the potential utility of repertory grids as a tool for exploring self-concept. The cross-sectional nature of the study precludes inferences about directionality or the temporal characteristics of associations., Practitioner Points: More recent experiences of self-harm may be reflected in the way individuals perceive or construe themselves. The way in which individuals who self-harm perceive or construe themselves may also be related to their current well-being and perceived recovery. Repertory grids may be a useful tool in clinical practice for investigating self-concept in those who self-harm. Repertory grids may provide a more idiographic, clinical outcome assessment in those who self-harm., (© 2020 The British Psychological Society.)

Objective: Non-Suicidal Self-Injury (NSSI) can have a major impact on the lives of individuals and those around them. The way in which a person feels about and perceives themselves (i.e. self-concept) appears central to understanding NSSI. The current study investigates three variables linked to self-concept: shame, social comparison, and self-concept integration. We examine how well these variables differentiate people who report past NSSI, people who report current NSSI, and people who have never engaged in NSSI., Design: Cross-sectional., Method: Individuals reporting NSSI in the past year (n = 51), individuals with a history of NSSI but none in the past year (n = 44), and individuals with no history of NSSI (n = 110) were compared on measures of shame, social comparison, and self-concept integration., Results: Shame was elevated in people with a history of NSSI but did not distinguish between past and current NSSI when other variables were controlled for. Self-concept integration was poorer in people reporting current NSSI than people reporting past NSSI, even when controlling for other variables., Conclusions: The results support the role of shame as a general marker for NSSI risk, but suggest self-concept integration may fluctuate more dynamically in relation to the recency of NSSI. The study is limited by a non-matched student control group., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: A broad variety of different functions can underlie acts of Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI). Whilst research so far has identified many of the commonly reported functions, no reliable estimates of prevalence currently exist for these different NSSI functions. Understanding the prevalence of NSSI functions represents a key to better understanding the phenomenology of NSSI and addressing the differing needs of the NSSI population. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the prevalence of NSSI functions in community and clinical samples., Method: A literature search of electronic databases PsycINFO, Medline, and Web of Science from date of inception to March 2017 was undertaken. A pre-specified framework for categorising different functions of NSSI was used to collate data from across studies. A random-effects meta-analysis of prevalence was then undertaken on these data., Results: Intrapersonal functions (66-81%), and especially those concerning emotion regulation were most commonly reported by individuals who engage in NSSI (63-78%). Interpersonal functions (e.g., expressing distress) were less common (33-56%)., Limitations: The review was limited to English-language articles. Reviewed articles were inconsistent in their measurement of NSSI. Inconsistency within pooled prevalence estimates was high when moderators were not accounted for., Conclusions: Findings indicate that intrapersonal functions of NSSI are most common and are present for the majority of participants. This finding supports dominant emotion-regulation models of NSSI, and the use of interventions that work to improve emotion-regulation ability. However, interpersonal functions remain endorsed by a substantial portion of participants., (Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a self-destructive act that represents a considerable burden on the individual and society. Low self-esteem may be a psychological variable that is related to NSSI. However, little is known about the nature of this relationship in adulthood. This systematic review therefore aimed to provide a synthesis of the available literature on the relationship between self-esteem and NSSI., Methods: Articles were independently identified and risk of bias assessed by two reviewers searching PsycINFO, CINAHL, Medline and Web of Science databases. Inclusion criteria were: (1) a mean sample age of eighteen years or over (2) full manuscripts available in English (3) assessment of NSSI (4) assessment(s) of self-esteem. A narrative synthesis of results was undertaken. A random-effects meta-analysis of differences in self-esteem between NSSI and non-NSSI groups was also undertaken., Results: Seventeen studies were identified and indicated a significant negative relationship between self-esteem and NSSI. The meta-analysis indicated lower self-esteem in those with experiences of NSSI versus those without, d = 0.59 - 1.17. Results suggested that although low self-esteem and NSSI are related in both clinical and non-clinical populations, there are a number of factors which also influence this relationship., Limitations: The absence of longitudinal research is a major limitation of this literature., Conclusions: It will be important for clinicians to consider the impact of self-esteem in those seeking support for NSSI. Further research should undertake longitudinal research to better understand the self-esteem and NSSI relationship., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)