Body image as a predictor of nonsuicidal self-injury in women: A longitudinal study

Abstract

Objectives: To determine whether Body Image Dissatisfaction (BID) predicted NonSuicidal Self-Injury (NSSI) cross-sectionally and longitudinally, independent of comorbidity between NSSI and Disordered Eating (DE). Another aim was to determine whether BID could predict number of NSSI methods present.

Method: Adult females completed measures of NSSI and DE (n = 283); and a longitudinal sample (n = 106) completed these measures again one year later.

Results: BID was a small yet significant predictor of NSSI both cross-sectionally and longitudinally. Poorer BID significantly explained a greater number of NSSI methods cross-sectionally and longitudinally.

Conclusions: BID explains unique variance in NSSI (including increased number of methods), and is not a function of comorbidity with DE. This has the potential to influence theory, as well as inform early intervention initiatives for BID in females. Further research is required to determine other variables implicated in this relationship, as well as whether these findings are applicable to other groups such as adolescents and males.