Testing an Integrative Model of Affect Regulation and Avoidance in Non-Suicidal Self-Injury and Disordered Eating

Arch Suicide Res. 2018 Apr-Jun;22(2):295-310. doi: 10.1080/13811118.2017.1340854. Epub 2017 Jul 17.

Abstract

This research tested a model that integrates risk factors among non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) and eating disorder (ED) behaviors with the aim of elucidating possible shared and unique mechanisms underlying both behaviors. Emotional distress, limited access to emotion regulation (ER) strategies, experiential avoidance, and NSSI/ED frequency were examined in a sample of 230 female undergraduates. Structural equation modeling indicated that limited access to ER strategies and avoidance mediated relationship between emotional distress and avoidance, which in turn was associated with NSSI and ED behaviors. Results suggest NSSI and ED behaviors may serve similar emotion regulation functions, and specifically highlight the role of experiential avoidance in these behaviors.

Keywords: eating disorders; emotion regulation; experiential avoidance; non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI).

MeSH terms

  • Affective Symptoms* / diagnosis
  • Affective Symptoms* / psychology
  • Behavioral Symptoms / diagnosis
  • Behavioral Symptoms / psychology
  • Escape Reaction*
  • Feeding and Eating Disorders / psychology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Models, Psychological
  • Psychological Tests
  • Risk Factors
  • Self-Control / psychology*
  • Self-Injurious Behavior / psychology*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Young Adult