Work

Implicit associations with non‐suicidal self‐injury: Examination in a clinical sample by borderline personality symptomatology

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: OBJECTIVES: We examine correlates and predictors for implicit associations with non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) with the Self-Injury Implicit Association Test (SI-IAT) in a treatment-seeking sample. We also examine group differences in the SI-IAT among those with low/none, moderate and high/clinically significant borderline personality disorder (BPD) symptomatology in a treatment-seeking sample. METHODS: = 30.25) completed the SI-IAT and self-report measures at two time points. RESULTS: Higher BPD symptom scores were significantly, positively correlated with implicit identification with NSSI, and predicted NSSI identity when controlling for depression indices, history of NSSI and other covariates. With Time 1 SI-IAT scores entered as a covariate, BPD scores no longer significantly predicted Time 2 SI-IAT scores. Individuals with moderate and high/clinically significant symptom counts of BPD had higher/stronger implicit associations with NSSI identity than those with no/low BPD symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals with symptoms of BPD may implicitly identify with NSSI more than other clinical groups; examination of implicit assessments in BPD in future research is needed to further explore implicit identification with NSSI in this patient group to further understand both cross-sectional and prospective relations.

Source: British Journal of Clinical Psychology

DOI: 10.1111/bjc.12506

Authors: Stephanie Jarvi Steele, Nigel M. Jaffe, Claire A. Kelly, Thröstur Björgvinsson, Lance P. Swenson

Institutions: Smith College, Harvard University, McLean Hospital, Suffolk University

Language: English

Topic: Suicide and Self-Harm Studies

Subfield: Clinical Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funder: National Institute of Mental Health