- Title
- Factors associated with continuation and cessation of self-injury from adolescence to adulthood
- Creator
- Duffy, Nicole
- Relation
- University of Newcastle Research Higher Degree Thesis
- Resource Type
- thesis
- Date
- 2019
- Description
- Masters Coursework - Masters of Clinical Psychology (MClinPsych)
- Description
- Background: The functions of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) are often assigned to one of two conceptual categories: intrapersonal (self-focused) or interpersonal (other-focused). Previous research shows that intrapersonal functions are endorsed more often and are associated with higher frequency, severity and chronicity of NSSI. This study sought to better understand the factors associated with continuation or cessation of NSSI from adolescence to adulthood, including the type of functions endorsed and later life outcomes. Method: A large sample (n=724) of adult participants completed an online survey on their experiences of NSSI in adolescence, along with measures of current role functioning and psychological wellbeing. Results: The functions of NSSI in adolescence were found to be a significant predictor of cessation or continuation of NSSI in adulthood, with intrapersonal functions predicting greater longevity of the behaviour compared to interpersonal functions. Participants who had ceased NSSI in adulthood reported lower rates of psychological distress, greater life satisfaction, were more likely to be engaged in work and to have achieved a higher level of education overall. Limitations: The study was cross-sectional and relied on retrospective accounts that may be subject to a degree of error. Demographic characteristics of the current sample limit generalisability of the findings to non-female and non-Australian populations. Conclusions: Understanding the functions of adolescent NSSI is an important component of clinical practice that can be used to target meaningful interventions to promote cessation of the behaviour and positive outcomes later in life.
- Subject
- non-suicidal self-injury; continuation; cessation; functions; adolescence
- Identifier
- http://hdl.handle.net/1959.13/1403051
- Identifier
- uon:35095
- Rights
- Copyright 2019 Nicole Duffy
- Language
- eng
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| Thumbnail | File | Description | Size | Format | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| View Details Download | ATTACHMENT01 | Thesis | 1 MB | Adobe Acrobat PDF | View Details Download | ||
| View Details Download | ATTACHMENT02 | Abstract | 159 KB | Adobe Acrobat PDF | View Details Download |