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Multiple mediation modelling exploring relationships between specific aspects of attachment, emotion regulation, and non-suicidal self-injury
journal contribution
posted on 2018-03-01, 00:00 authored by Ruth TatnellRuth Tatnell, P Hasking, L Newman© 2017 The Australian Psychological Society Objective: Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is physically harmful behaviour, primarily used to regulate emotions. Emotion regulatory ability is theorised to develop in the context of primary attachment relationships and to be impacted by the quality of these relationships. We propose a developmental perspective for why some people engage in NSSI. Method: A questionnaire assessing aspects of attachment, emotion regulation, and NSSI was completed by 237 young adults. Results: Participants reporting NSSI were more likely to report difficulties in attachment relationships and emotion relation. Using multiple mediation modelling, anxiety related to mothers, and a fearful attachment model predicted NSSI through non-acceptance of emotional responses and lack of regulatory strategies; the fearful model also predicted NSSI through difficulties in engaging in goal-directed behaviour and impulse control. Conclusions: Risk of NSSI may increase as a result of attachment difficulties and associated emotional development; early prevention measures may be useful. Treatment of NSSI should target attachment constructs as well as understanding, expression, and regulation of emotion.
History
Journal
Australian journal of psychologyVolume
70Issue
1Pagination
48 - 56Publisher
WileyLocation
Chichester, Eng.Publisher DOI
ISSN
0004-9530eISSN
1742-9536Language
engPublication classification
C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journalCopyright notice
2017, The Australian Psychological SocietyUsage metrics
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