A cross-sectional study of non-suicidal self-injury in adults with depressive disorder: Associations with inflammation and cardiac structure and function.

OBJECTIVE: Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD), whereas inflammation is associated with both CVD and NSSI. However, few studies have investigated the correlation among NSSI, inflammation, and cardiac structure and function in CVD-free adult patients with depressive disorders. METHODS: We recruited 88 CVD-free adult patients with depressive disorders and 37 healthy individuals. Patients were divided into NSSI (n = 21) and non-NSSI (n = 67) groups based on the presence or absence of NSSI. Healthy individuals comprised the controls (n = 37). Echocardiography was applied to assess cardiac structure and function, and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were measured to indicate inflammation. RESULTS: Compared with controls, the NSSI group exhibited a larger left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LVESD) and smaller left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESV) was larger in the NSSI group than in the non-NSSI group. The CRP levels were higher in the NSSI group than in the non-NSSI group; however, this difference was not statistically significant. NSSI was positively associated with LVESD (ß = 1.928, p = 0.006) and LVESV (ß = 5.368, p = 0.003), negatively correlated with LVEF (ß = -2.600, p = 0.029), and positively correlated with CRP levels (ß = 0.116, p = 0.004). CRP levels did not mediate the association between NSSI and cardiac structure and function. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicated that NSSI was associated with left ventricular structure, systolic function, and inflammation, but CRP did not mediate the relationship between NSSI and echocardiogram parameters.

Exploring the cessation process from adolescence to young adulthood in individuals with lived experience of nonsuicidal self-injury: a qualitative study.

INTRODUCTION: Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a common and concerning behavior in adolescents. However, most adolescents cease NSSI as they transition into adulthood. Increased knowledge of the cessation process is needed. This study aimed to qualitatively explore the factors contributing to NSSI cessation in individuals with lived experience of NSSI, providing valuable insights for treatment strategies. METHODS: Twenty-six individuals assigned female sex at birth, between ages 20-22 years, from Sweden were interviewed between 2021 and 2023 in Linköping, Sweden. Of these, 21 individuals perceived themselves as having ceased NSSI and were included in the analysis. Thematic analysis and Hooley and Franklins' Benefits and Barriers Model of NSSI were used to analyze the transcripts. RESULTS: Three overarching themes were generated: "Something inside me changed", "Something in my close relationships changed", and "Something in my life context changed". The cessation of NSSI was associated with several key factors. Improved well-being and envisioning a different future were pivotal in initiating the cessation process. Additionally, interpersonal relationships and support from others were interpreted as powerful motivators for change. Transitioning to a new social context and leaving behind a destructive environment provided opportunities for personal growth and enhanced well-being, interpreted as initiators in the participants' broader life context. CONCLUSION: This study underscores the complexity of the NSSI cessation process and highlights the need for a comprehensive understanding of the underlying factors. Access to emotion regulation skills was perceived as a significant barrier to NSSI engagement. Clinical implications and different interventions to support NSSI cessation are discussed.

Neurophysiological activity following gains and losses among young adults with non-suicidal self-injury: An ERP study.

OBJECTIVE: Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is an increasingly concerning issue that is linked to a range of mental health problems. However, little is known about the potential neurophysiological mechanisms underlying risk decision-making in Major depressive disorder (MDD) patients with NSSI-the present study aimed to fill this important literature gap. METHODS: A total of 81 MDD patients (with NSSI: n = 40, without NSSI: n = 41) and 44 matched healthy controls (HC) underwent a modified version of the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT) while an electroencephalogram was recorded. Feedback-related negativity (FRN) and P300 were examined during the feedback stage of the risky decision-making process. RESULTS: Behavioural findings revealed that individuals diagnosed with MDD displayed a greater tendency to make risky decisions compared to the control group. Furthermore, MDD patients with NSSI demonstrated a significantly more negative ΔFN (i.e., the difference in neural response to losses compared to gains) than those without NSSI. Further, NSSI patients showed a larger difference ΔFN (loss minus gain), which was associated with enhanced impulsivity. CONCLUSIONS: Collectively, the findings suggest that there is an altered processing of risky decision-making in the electrophysiology of patients with MDD who engage in NSSI. The ΔFN may serve as a psychophysiological marker indicating risk for NSSI.

Seeing adolescents grow from many angles using a multilevel approach: A tribute to the contributions of Dante Cicchetti to the field of developmental psychopathology.

Dante Cicchetti propelled forward the field of developmental psychopathology by advancing this framework and championing new methods, including emphasizing the central role that multilevel analysis holds for explicating pathways of risk and resilience. His work continues to change the face of existing science. It has also paved the way for the formation of new projects, like the Research Domain Criteria initiative. This paper uses our laboratory's work on multilevel approaches to studying adolescent depression, non-suicidal self-injury, and suicidal thoughts and behaviors to shine a spotlight on Dr Cicchetti's contributions. In addition, we review recent developments, ongoing challenges, and promising future directions within developmental psychopathology as we endeavor to carry on the tradition of growth in the field.

Implicit associations with non-suicidal self-injury: Examination in a clinical sample by borderline personality symptomatology.

OBJECTIVES: We examine correlates and predictors for implicit associations with non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) with the Self-Injury Implicit Association Test (SI-IAT) in a treatment-seeking sample. We also examine group differences in the SI-IAT among those with low/none, moderate and high/clinically significant borderline personality disorder (BPD) symptomatology in a treatment-seeking sample. METHODS: Participants (N = 111; 58% female; 89% White; Mage = 30.25) completed the SI-IAT and self-report measures at two time points. RESULTS: Higher BPD symptom scores were significantly, positively correlated with implicit identification with NSSI, and predicted NSSI identity when controlling for depression indices, history of NSSI and other covariates. With Time 1 SI-IAT scores entered as a covariate, BPD scores no longer significantly predicted Time 2 SI-IAT scores. Individuals with moderate and high/clinically significant symptom counts of BPD had higher/stronger implicit associations with NSSI identity than those with no/low BPD symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals with symptoms of BPD may implicitly identify with NSSI more than other clinical groups; examination of implicit assessments in BPD in future research is needed to further explore implicit identification with NSSI in this patient group to further understand both cross-sectional and prospective relations.

Dimensions of experienced gender and prospective self-injurious thoughts and behaviors in preadolescent children: A national study.

OBJECTIVES: Gender diverse youth face higher risk of engaging in self-injurious thoughts and behaviors (SITBs) compared to cisgender youth. Limitations in past research include a focus on older adolescents, an emphasis on specific gender identity labels that may not be inclusive of the range of youth gender experiences, and reliance on cross-sectional data. Thus, the current study prospectively evaluated dimensions of experienced gender in relation to first-onset SITBs among preadolescents. METHODS: Data were drawn from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study, a longitudinal study of youth across the United States. Youth (n = 7909) were aged 10-11 during initial assessment, and follow-up was conducted one year later. Two dimensions of experienced gender, felt-gender incongruence (not feeling aligned with the gender associated with one's sex assigned at birth) and gender non-contentedness (feeling dissatisfaction with the gender associated with one's sex assigned at birth), were assessed. Primary outcomes included non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), suicidal ideation (SI), and suicide attempts (SA). RESULTS: Logistic regressions were conducted stratified by sex assigned at birth. For youth assigned female at birth, felt-gender incongruence was prospectively associated with first-onset NSSI and SI and gender non-contentedness was prospectively associated with first-onset of NSSI. For youth assigned male at birth, gender non-contentedness was prospectively associated with first-onset SI. Diverse experienced gender did not prospectively predict SA. CONCLUSIONS: Dimensions of experienced gender may be associated with subsequent first-onset SITBs among preadolescents. These findings support the need for future research on risk and protective factors that may mediate or moderate this relationship.

Non Suicidal Self-Injury and Eating Disorders.

Epidemiological data on non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) in the context of eating disorders (ED) are limited, with estimates varying widely across studies and reviews being primarily narrative. Self-injurious behaviour is present in various psychiatric disorders of adolescents and young adults, including eating disorders. A study conducted on the general population of adolescents showed that 30% of females and 24% of 16-year-old males with an eating disorder had engaged in acts of self-harm compared with 8.3% of females and 4.0% of males without an eating disorder. In particular, self-harm behaviours, including Non-Suicidal Self-Injury (NSSI), suicide attempts (SA), and suicidal ideations (SI), are common among individuals with Anorexia Nervosa (AN) and Bulimia Nervosa (BN). Presence of eating disorders and self-injurious behaviours in the same individual is associated with more severe psychopathology increasing the risk of more severe depressive and anxiety symptoms and suicide attempts.

Impact of mentalization, identity diffusion and psychopathology on nonsuicidal self-injury among adolescents.

INTRODUCTION: Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) has become a major public health issue in adolescents. This cross-sectional case-controlled study aims to assess the impact of identity diffusion, psychopathology, and mentalization on NSSI in adolescence. METHODS: The study sample consisted of 153 adolescents (76.5% girls; Mage = 15.6 years). The sample included 56 clinical cases of NSSI, 45 psychiatric cases without NSSI, and 52 healthy controls, all recruited in Ankara, Türkiye, from June 1, 2022, to August 31, 2022. Mentalization was assessed by "The Movie for the Assessment of Social Cognition" (MASC) which categorizes mentalizing as "correct mentalizing" "hypermentalizing" "undermentalizing" and "no-mentalizing". All participants filled in the Self-Injurious Behavior Screening Questionnaire, Assessment of Identity Development in Adolescence (AIDA), and Youth Self Report (YSR), and Inventory of Statements About Self-injury (ISAS). RESULTS: The NSSI group showed lower mentalizing capacity than the healthy control group (p = .011), and more no-mentalizing errors than the other two groups (p = .014). Identity diffusion scores were higher in the NSSI group than in the other two groups (p < .001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the presence of maternal psychiatric disorder (p = .019, OR = 5.21), identity diffusion (p = .007, OR = 1.02), no mentalizing (p = .049, OR = 1.28), and total psychopathology symptoms (p = .009, OR = 1.12) had a significant impact on NSSI. CONCLUSIONS: Current findings suggest that transdiagnostic approaches, including mentalization and identity diffusion, may contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of NSSI and to the development of clinical interventions.

Longitudinal relations between non-suicidal self-injury and both depression and anxiety among senior high school adolescents: a cross-lagged panel network analysis.

Background: Comorbidity between non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) and depression and anxiety was common. In the framework of network theory, the examination of directionality and gender differences in longitudinal relationships at the symptom level made a significant contribution to the understanding of comorbidity. Therefore, this study employed cross-lagged panel network analysis to investigate the longitudinal interrelations between NSSI and depression and anxiety in Chinese adolescents, with a focus on gender differences. Method: The study was conducted with a sample of 884 senior high school students (F/M: 481/403; mean age: 15.19 ± 0.48 years) from Jinchang City, Gansu Province, China. All respondents completed the Adolescent Non-Suicidal Self-Injury Assessment Questionnaire and the two subscales (depression and anxiety) of the Brief Symptom Inventory at two intervals. The data were estimated in R 4.2.0 to construct the cross-lagged panel network (CLPN). Results: The CLPN results uncovered the gender differences. For boys, self-hitting and feeling scared emerged as central symptoms. Cutting predicted subsequent feelings of sadness (ß =  - 0.57), tension (ß =  - 0.52) and indifference (ß =  - 0.49), potentially serving as a bridge connecting NSSI to depression and anxiety. For girls, biting themselves and feeling scared were central symptoms. Carving and skin rubbing predicted subsequent feelings of indifference (ß =  - 0.31, -0.21), bridging NSSI to depression and anxiety. In addition, feeling scared emerged as the key bridge symptom connecting depression and anxiety. Conclusion: The findings showed the gender-specific developmental characteristics of the directional relations between NSSI and depression and anxiety at the symptom level. They provided new insights into the comorbidity of NSSI and depression and anxiety, carrying important implications for the screening and intervention of adolescent NSSI.

A multi-modal assessment of self-knowledge in adolescents with non-suicidal self-injury: a research domains criteria (RDoC) study.

BACKGROUND: Adolescence is a critical period for brain development, consolidation of self-understanding, and onset of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI). This study evaluated the RDoC (Research Domain Criteria) sub-construct of Self-Knowledge in relation to adolescent NSSI using multiple units of analysis. METHODS: One hundred and sixty-four adolescents assigned female at birth (AFAB), ages 12-16 years with and without a history of NSSI entered a study involving clinical assessment and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), including structural, resting-state functional MRI (fMRI), and fMRI during a self-evaluation task. For imaging analyses, we used an a priori defined Self Network (anterior cingulate, orbitofrontal, and posterior cingulate cortices; precuneus). We first examined interrelationships among multi-level Self variables. We then evaluated the individual relationships between NSSI severity and multi-level Self variables (self-report, behavior, multi-modal brain Self Network measures), then conducted model testing and multiple regression to test how Self variables (together) predicted NSSI severity. RESULTS: Cross-correlations revealed key links between self-reported global self-worth and self-evaluation task behavior. Individually, greater NSSI severity correlated with lower global self-worth, more frequent and faster negative self-evaluations, lower anterior Self Network activation during self-evaluation, and lower anterior and posterior Self Network resting-state connectivity. Multiple regression analysis revealed the model including multi-level Self variables explained NSSI better than a covariate-only model; the strongest predictive variables included self-worth, self-evaluation task behavior, and resting-state connectivity. CONCLUSIONS: Disruptions in Self-Knowledge across multiple levels of analysis relate to NSSI in adolescents. Findings suggest potential neurobiological treatment targets, potentially enhancing neuroplasticity in Self systems to facilitate greater flexibility (more frequently positive) of self-views in AFAB adolescents.

Neural correlates of reward valuation in individuals with nonsuicidal self-injury under uncertainty.

BACKGROUND: Attitudes toward risk and ambiguity significantly influence how individuals assess and value rewards. This fMRI study examines the reward valuation process under conditions of uncertainty and investigates the associated neural mechanisms in individuals who engage in nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) as a coping mechanism for psychological pain. METHODS: The study involved 44 unmedicated individuals who reported five or more NSSI episodes in the past year, along with 42 age-, sex-, handedness-, IQ-, and socioeconomic status-matched controls. During the fMRI scans, all participants were presented with decision-making scenarios involving uncertainty, both in terms of risk (known probabilities) and ambiguity (unknown probabilities). RESULTS: In the NSSI group, aversive attitudes toward ambiguity were correlated with increased emotion reactivity and greater method versatility. Whole-brain analysis revealed notable group-by-condition interactions in the right middle cingulate cortex and left hippocampus. Specifically, the NSSI group showed decreased neural activation under ambiguity v. risk compared to the control group. Moreover, reduced hippocampal activation under ambiguity in the NSSI group was associated with increased emotion regulation problems. CONCLUSIONS: This study presents the first evidence of reduced brain activity in specific regions during value-based decision-making under conditions of ambiguity in individuals with NSSI. These findings have important clinical implications, particularly concerning emotion dysregulation in this population. This study indicates the need for interventions that support and guide individuals with NSSI to promote adaptive decision-making in the face of ambiguous uncertainty.

Prevalence and correlates of non-suicidal self-injury among patients with bipolar disorder: A multicenter study across China.

BACKGROUND: Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is increasingly prevalent among patients with bipolar disorder (BD), raising concerns in psychology and mental health. Investigating the incidence and factors associated with NSSI is crucial for developing prevention and intervention strategies. METHODS: NSSI behaviors were identified using the Ottawa Self-injury Inventory. The Clinically Useful Depression Outcome Scale supplemented with questions for the DSM-5 specifier of mixed features (CUDOS-M) and the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (Hypo-)Manic Episode with Mixed Features-DSM-5 Module (MINI-M) were used to evaluate clinical symptoms. Non-parametric tests, chi-square tests, point-biserial correlation and logistic regression analyses were employed for the purposes of data analysis. RESULTS: The enrolled sample comprised 1044 patients with BD from 20 research centers across China. Out of 1044 individuals, 446 exhibited NSSI behaviors, with 101 of them being adolescents, leading to a prevalence of 78.3 % among adolescent patients. The most common methods for females and males were "cutting" (41.2 %) and "hitting" (34.7 %), respectively. By binary logistic regression analysis, young age, female, bipolar type II disorder, with suicidal ideation and mixed states, depressive symptoms and without family history of mental disorder were correlates of NSSI in patients with BD (P < 0.05). LIMITATIONS: As a cross-sectional study, causality between NSSI behaviors and associated factors cannot be established. Reporting and recall biases may occur due to self-rating scales and retrospective reports. CONCLUSION: Our study indicates a concerning prevalence of NSSI, particularly among young patients with BD in China. Future research should focus on understanding NSSI behaviors in this population and developing effective interventions.

Non-suicidal self-injury among youth students during COVID-19 pandemic: the role of psychological factors in Jingzhou, China.

Objective: This study aimed to explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) among youth students, and the mediating role of psychological factors in the relationship between the COVID-19 pandemic and NSSI. Method: An online survey was conducted at junior and senior high schools, as well as universities located in Jingzhou, Hubei Province, China between June 2021 and January 2022. The COVID-19 Impact Index was constructed using multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) method. The bootstrapping method was used for mediation analysis. Results: A total of 16025 youth participated in the study and 12507 youth (78.1%) finished the questionnaires. The COVID-19 Impact Index had a significantly positive effect on NSSI (r=0.16, p<0.001). The mediation analysis results showed that the COVID-19 Impact Index had a significant indirect effect on youth' NSSI (ß=0.0918, 95% CI [0.0788, 0.1048]), and this indirect effect was mainly achieved through affecting youth' anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The mediation effect of anxiety on NSSI was 0.0584, the direct effect was 0.0334, and the mediation proportion was 63.6%. The mediation effect of depression on NSSI was 0.0668, the direct effect was 0.0250, and the mediation proportion was 72.8%. The mediation effect of PTSD on NSSI was 0.0640, the direct effect was 0.0278, and the mediation proportion was 69.7%. All the mediation effects, direct effects and total effects were statistically significant (p<0.001). Conclusion: The higher the impact of the COVID-19 Impact Index, the higher the prevalence of NSSI among youth students. Anxiety, depression and PTSD had mediated the relationship between the COVID-19 Impact Index and NSSI. It is suggested that specific health policies, mental health services and interventions should be developed to reduce the NSSI and improve mental health status among youth students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cybervictimization and Non-Suicidal Self-Injury Among Chinese College Students: an Exploration Through the Lens of Experiential Avoidance Model.

Purpose: Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a growing public health concern among college students, with cybervictimization (CV) emerging as a significant contributing factor. Grounded in the experiential avoidance theory, this study investigates the mediating roles of cognitive fusion and negative emotions in the relationship between CV and NSSI, providing new insights into these key variables. Methods: A convenience sample of 457 undergraduate students (29% male; mean age 18.36±0.66 years) from two universities in Fujian Province participated in this study. Data were collected using the Cyberbullying Victimization Scale, Cognitive Fusion Questionnaire, Positive and Negative Affect Schedule, and Non-Suicidal Self-Injury Scale. Descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation analysis were conducted using SPSS 25.0, while the mediating effects were analyzed using Process 3.5. Results: (1) Significant positive correlations were found among CV, cognitive fusion, negative emotions, and NSSI (p < 0.01). (2) CV was directly associated with NSSI (ß = 0.22, p < 0.001) and positively predicted both cognitive fusion (ß = 0.17, p < 0.001) and negative emotions (ß = 0.15, p < 0.01). Additionally, cognitive fusion (ß = 0.16, p < 0.01) and negative emotions (ß = 0.11, p < 0.05) significantly predicted NSSI. (3) Mediation analyses revealed that cognitive fusion and negative emotions mediated the CV-NSSI relationship through three pathways: CV→cognitive fusion→NSSI (mediation effect = 0.026), CV→negative emotions→NSSI (mediation effect = 0.02), and CV→cognitive fusion→negative emotions→NSSI (mediation effect = 0.01). Conclusion: The study confirms that CV influences NSSI indirectly through cognitive fusion and negative emotions, supporting the experiential avoidance model. These findings underscore the importance of addressing cognitive and emotional processes in interventions aimed at reducing NSSI among college students.

The association between child maltreatment, cognitive reappraisal, negative coping styles, and non-suicidal self-injury in adolescents with major depressive disorder.

BACKGROUND: Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a significant public health concern among adolescents with major depressive disorders (MDD). Although previous research has linked child maltreatment (CM) to NSSI, the precise mechanisms remain unclear. This study aims to investigate the association between CM, cognitive reappraisal (CR), negative coping styles (NC) and NSSI in adolescents with MDD, from the perspectives of both Latent Variable Theory and the Network Theory of Mental Disorder. METHODS: A sample of 651 adolescents with MDD was recruited from January to December 2023. Data on CM, CR, NC, and NSSI were collected through paper-based self-reported questionnaires. Data analysis primarily involved structural equation modeling and network analysis. RESULTS: The reporting rate of NSSI among adolescents with MDD was 48.2%. CM showed a significant positive correlation with NSSI. NSSI was affected by CM through three paths: the mediating role of CR, the mediating role of NC, and the chain mediating role of both CR and NC. Emotional abuse (EA) was the central node, while NSSI, EA, and "The urge to cry quietly when faced with troubles"(NC10) were the key bridge nodes. CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first to use both structural equation modeling and network analysis to explore the explore the relationship between CM, CR, NC, and NSSI in adolescents with MDD, providing a theoretical basis for future early prevention and targeted interventions for adolescents with MDD.

Parental Emotion Socialization of Sadness as a Correlate for Clinical Improvement: A Longitudinal Study of Adolescents with a Range of Nonsuicidal Self-Injury.

Engagement in nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) often begins in adolescence, and commonly occurs when a person is emotionally dysregulated. Parental emotion socialization (ES) plays a key role in shaping children's emotional expression, experience, and regulation. Longitudinal work is needed to understand how links between parental ES and adolescent clinical outcomes unfold over time. In this longitudinal study (N = 118; all assigned female at birth with a range of NSSI - from none to severe; age 12-17 years, Mage = 14.98 at the first assessment), for the Time 1 (T1) and Time 2 (T2) annual assessments; adolescents reported NSSI and adolescents and parents reported depressive symptoms. Parents (primarily mothers) reported on their supportive and unsupportive ES responses to youth expressions of sadness, anger, and happiness. We examined (1) concurrent relationships across time points, (2) longitudinal models (T1 to T2 change in parental ES and its associated T1 to T2 changes in adolescent clinical outcomes), and (3) prediction models (T1 parental ES predicting changes in adolescent clinical outcomes). Concurrent associations between parental supportive ES responses to sadness and anger were inversely related to adolescent's depressive symptoms and NSSI episodes. Longitudinal analyses showed that increases in unsupportive responses to sadness correspond with increases in depressive symptoms from T1 to T2. The findings underscore the importance of examining how parents respond to their children's emotions. Next steps are to investigate potential mechanisms of risk and consider interventions that enhance adaptive responses of parents to adolescents embroiled in negative emotional states.

Out of the Closet, but Not Out of the Woods: The Longitudinal Associations Between Identity Disclosure, Discrimination, and Nonsuicidal Self-Injury Among Sexual Minoritized Young Adults.

Sexual minoritized individuals engage in non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) at higher rates than their heterosexual peers. Disclosing one's sexual minoritized identity can put one at risk for experiencing discrimination, which is linked to greater engagement in NSSI. However, discrimination has yet to be tested as a mechanism linking sexual identity disclosure to NSSI. Understanding how sexual identity disclosure impacts NSSI has the potential to inform interventions to reduce sexual orientation disparities in NSSI. To address this gap, the current study examined sexual orientation-based discrimination as a mediator of the longitudinal association between sexual identity disclosure and NSSI among 792 sexual minoritized young adults. Higher levels of disclosure at baseline were associated with greater likelihood of NSSI at two-month follow-up via greater discrimination at one-month follow-up, even after controlling for baseline levels of depression and demographic characteristics. The indirect effect became non-significant after controlling for previous levels of discrimination and NSSI. Findings provide partial support for the hypothesis that identity disclosure may precede exposure to discrimination and, in turn, engagement in NSSI. However, identity disclosure does not appear to predict acute increases in discrimination. Future research is encouraged to examine these prospective associations with longer intervals between assessments, as the indirect effect of identity disclosure on NSSI via discrimination may continue to accumulate over time. Findings highlight the need to reduce discrimination following sexual identity disclosure through the implementation of equitable and affirmative practices in school, healthcare, and other settings to improve the well-being of sexual minoritized young adults.

Temporal Framework and Biological Indicators of Non-Suicidal Self-Injury and Related Behaviours.

Adolescence is a transitional stage between puberty and maturity. Significant alterations in brain chemistry and hormone activity cause mood swings and other psychological and physical symptoms. On their journey to adolescence, adolescents deal with complex emotions, moral dilemmas, sexual concerns, identity crises and particular societal expectations related to their upbringing. Impulsivity in adolescents is frequent and causes multiple issues. Impulsivity often lead towards non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), which has devastating consequences, which are both physical and mental. Both impulsivity and NSSI have their roots in brain chemistry and its related functions. The aim of this special communication was to delve into brain chemistry through studying the function of neurotransmitters and brain areas in NSSI and impulsivity. Multiple papers were sought on the topic of neurochemistry and neuroanatomy. The results identified serotonin, dopamine and glutamate as the neurotransmitters responsible for NSSI and impulsivity. Dysregulation in these neurotransmitters lead to the presentation of NSSI and impulsivity. Other than the neurotransmitters, the brain areas identified were prefrontal cortex, medial prefrontal cortex and ventrolateral prefrontal cortex. The compiled results of this research would help individuals in understanding the neurotransmitters and the brain areas responsible. This would also help in generating awareness regarding the biological nature of the phenomenon as well, leading to less stigmatisation. The less stigmatisation towards these phenomena can help the affected individuals to seek help without any guilt or shame, along with support from society as well.

Examining trajectories of nonsuicidal self-injury across the first year of university.

BACKGROUND: Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) is prevalent among emerging adults in post-secondary school, but little is known about change and stability in NSSI during the transition to university. Moreover, there has been limited person-centered work focusing on heterogeneity in NSSI engagement among students over time. The present study aimed to investigate the development and maintenance of NSSI across the first year of university and explore predictors of potential variability in trajectories of NSSI. METHODS: The present sample consisted of 1125 first-year university students at a large post-secondary institution (Mage = 17.96, 71 % female, 28 % male, 1 % gender diverse) who participated in a larger longitudinal study. Participants completed an online survey three times over their first year of university. Latent growth curve modeling (LGCM) in Mplus was utilized to explore different NSSI group trajectories across first year university. RESULTS: NSSI was prevalent among first year students (35 %). LGCM revealed one developmental trajectory; NSSI engagement decreased across the first year of university. Students who engaged in NSSI had increased difficulties with emotion regulation, lower self-compassion, and lower levels of social support compared to students who did not engage in NSSI. LIMITATIONS: The present study may be subject to recall errors and future studies should include more gender diverse samples to increase generalization of findings. CONCLUSIONS: Findings highlight the transition to university as a peak period of vulnerability for NSSI engagement and emphasize the need for proactive university intervention efforts to mitigate risk and improve student well-being.

The smallest things make me emotional! Emotion reactivity in non-suicidal self-injury: trait, state, and physiological differences.

Objective: The current study sought to clarify the role of emotion reactivity in non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) by examining three forms of emotion reactivity (physiological and self-reported trait and state reactivity) among a sample of young adults with or without a history of NSSI. Materials and methods: Seventy-six adults (M age = 20.97, 73.7% female) participated in a semi-structured clinical interview to determine NSSI history and completed a measure of trait emotion reactivity. Participants then provided state emotion reactivity ratings before and after a social rejection task, recovery period, and positive mood induction while physiological data was continuously recorded. Results: Although individuals with a history of NSSI perceived themselves to be more emotionally reactive, these participants were not more physiologically reactive, nor were their state reactivity ratings significantly different from individuals without a history of NSSI. Discussion: Results suggest increased emotionality in response to a stressor is within normal bounds and not unique to individuals with a history of NSSI, and provide implications for future research on the etiology and treatment of NSSI.