Predicting self-injury in BPD: an investigation of the experiential avoidance model.
This study investigated the contribution of indices of experiential avoidance to prediction of frequency and lethality of self-injurious behaviour (SIB) in a female BPD sample (N = 71) with high levels of SIB and histories of poor treatment outcomes. The experiential avoidance model (EAM) tested included motivations for SIB, coping style and DSM-IV Avoidant PD criteria. Distinct findings for suicidal and non-suicidal SIB were noted. In partial support of the model, motivations related to relief from negative emotions positively predicted frequency of non-suicidal, but not suicidal, SIB. Avoidant PD traits predicted a pattern of more frequent, less risky non-suicidal SIB. However, reliance on avoidant coping strategies predicted lethality but not frequency of SIB, while self-blaming coping and SIB motivations related to a desire to influence others predicted frequency of non-suicidal SIB. Results suggest the need for investigation of a more complex model of the antecedents and functions of SIB that includes the contribution of Avoidant PD traits.
University of Melbourne, Australia. cah@unimelb.edu.au
Carol
C
Hulbert
Rosemary
R
Thomas
D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia; D001883:Borderline Personality Disorder / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008960:Models, Psychological; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012652:Self Mutilation / Q000523:psychology; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016387:Women's Health; D055815:Young Adult