Nonsuicidal self-injury and approach behavior toward aversive images: A MouseView.js study
Year: 2026
Type: preprint
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Introduction: Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) is associated with altered responses to self-injury-related cues. However, extant behavioral measures do not capture intentional engagement with stimuli, which may be most clinically relevant to understanding persistent NSSI. Methods: We created a novel task in MouseView.js to measure voluntary engagement with NSSI-relevant stimuli using cursor movements. Young adults (N=143) with self-injurious thoughts and/or behaviors histories completed the task and questionnaires assessing NSSI and suicidal ideation (SI) at baseline and 2-, 4- and 6-month follow-ups.Results: More frequent NSSI and greater SI severity were associated with increased engagement with suicide images (i.e., staged suicide attempts), but not general gore images, across the 10-second viewing period. Greater average engagement with both image types was associated with the presence (versus absence) of past-month NSSI. Greater baseline engagement with both image types prospectively predicted NSSI frequency over follow-ups; however, effects were non-significant when controlling for baseline symptoms.Conclusion: We provide preliminary evidence that engagement with NSSI-relevant stimuli – measured using cursor movements – may be a concurrent behavioral correlate of NSSI. Effects were most consistent for images depicting self-injury, compared to general gore, suggesting that individuals with NSSI may be especially prone to engaging with content depicting intentional self-directed harm.
Source: PsyArXiv (OSF Preprints)
Language: English
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7214222706