1. Differences between Current and Past Self-Injurers: How and Why Do People Stop?
- Author
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Horgan, Michelle and Martin, Graham
- Subjects
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SELF-injurious behavior , *PSYCHOLOGICAL distress , *EMOTIONS , *TREATMENT effectiveness , *MENTAL health of college students , *CROSS-sectional method , *ADAPTABILITY (Personality) , *INTERNET , *LEARNING , *MATHEMATICAL models of psychology , *PSYCHOLOGICAL stress , *STUDENTS , *UNIVERSITIES & colleges , *PSYCHOLOGICAL factors - Abstract
This research sought to clarify how some self-injurers cease the behavior, maintaining this for at least 1 year. Using the Experiential Avoidance Model (EAM), we examined whether characteristics of self-injurers remain in people who have successfully ceased self-injury and what, by implication, might be targeted to improve therapeutic efficacy. The study was conducted using an online cross-sectional survey of 215 first-year university students. Past self-injurers (34) scored significantly better on subscales of the General Health Questionnaire, as well as Distress Tolerance, Experiential Avoidance, and Self-blame compared to Current self-injurers (29). The Experiential Avoidance Model is a useful basis for understanding self-injury, and informing therapeutic approaches. Reducing Anxiety, and developing Tolerance and Positive Emotional Intensity may be keys to ceasing self-injury. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]
- Published
- 2016
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