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Nonsuicidal Self‐Injury, Coping Strategies, and Sexual Orientation
Author(s) -
Sornberger Michael J.,
Smith Nathan Grant,
Toste Jessica R.,
Heath Nancy L.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
journal of clinical psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.124
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1097-4679
pISSN - 0021-9762
DOI - 10.1002/jclp.21947
Subject(s) - sexual orientation , psychology , coping (psychology) , maladaptive coping , clinical psychology , lesbian , multivariate analysis of variance , logistic regression , developmental psychology , poison control , social psychology , medicine , environmental health , machine learning , computer science , psychoanalysis
Objectives The current study sought to investigate the relationship between sexual orientation and nonsuicidal self‐injury (NSSI). This study also includes an examination of coping styles, both maladaptive and adaptive, based on sexual orientation. Method Participants included 207 young adults who identified as lesbian/gay, bisexual, or questioning (50.2% female) and a heterosexual comparison group. Results A hierarchical logistic regression showed that bisexual and questioning individuals were more likely to report having engaged in NSSI in their lifetime. A chi‐square yielded no difference between groups on frequency of NSSI. Multivariate analyses of variance examining maladaptive and adaptive coping strategies demonstrated that bisexual and questioning individuals reported greater use of maladaptive strategies than the heterosexual group; however, there was little difference between groups on adaptive coping. Conclusions The relationship between sexual orientation and coping appears to be a complex one, suggesting that bisexual and questioning individuals attempt to use a wide range of coping mechanisms, possibly due to increased stress.