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Experiencing and Resisting Nonsuicidal Self‐injury Thoughts and Urges in Everyday Life
Author(s) -
Turner Brianna J.,
Baglole J. Sebastian,
Chapman Alexander L.,
Gratz Kim L.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
suicide and life‐threatening behavior
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.544
H-Index - 90
eISSN - 1943-278X
pISSN - 0363-0234
DOI - 10.1111/sltb.12510
Subject(s) - everyday life , psychology , psychotherapist , psychoanalysis , political science , law
Objective We used a daily diary to examine (1) the frequency of three types of NSSI thoughts and urges (fleeting thoughts, persistent thoughts, and intense urges), (2) the correlates of NSSI thought and urges within and across days, (3) strategies that aid in resisting NSSI thoughts and urges, and (4) the prospective association of daily NSSI thoughts and urges with NSSI behavior over 12 months. Method Sixty adults (aged 18–35) completed a two‐week daily diary and follow‐ups every 3 months for one year. Results Fleeting NSSI thoughts were reported on 48% of days, whereas persistent thoughts (11%) and intense urges (17%) were less common. Within days, earlier stress predicted more persistent NSSI thoughts, whereas earlier perceived support predicted less intense NSSI urges. Furthermore, NSSI thoughts and urges were positively associated with same‐day stress and avoidant coping. Problem‐focused coping was associated with greater success resisting same‐day fleeting thoughts and intense urges, as well as success resisting next‐day persistent thoughts. Perceived support was associated with less intense same‐day urges, but also less success resisting these urges. Over the follow‐up, persistent thoughts predicted less frequent NSSI , whereas intense urges predicted more frequent NSSI . Conclusions NSSI thoughts and urges are commonly experienced and deserve further attention.