title: Investigating the role of self-disgust in nonsuicidal self-injury.
abstract: Self-directed disgust, a component of self-criticism, may present an important, yet unexplored emotion in the context of nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI). The aim of this study was to examine the role of self-disgust in NSSI, specifically as a potential mediator in the relations between depression and NSSI as well as sexual abuse and NSSI, and to also better understand characteristics that might differentiate recent and past self-injurers. A total of 549 college students completed measures assessing NSSI, self-disgust, depression, anxiety sensitivity, and physical and sexual abuse. Results indicated self-disgust fully mediated the relation between depressive symptoms and NSSI status and partially mediated the relation between sexual abuse and NSSI status. Additionally, compared to past self-injurers (4.6%; n = 25), recent self-injurers (6.4%; n = 35) endorsed significantly higher self-disgust and depressive symptoms. Self-disgust may be an important component in NSSI and should be addressed in treatment.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Psychology , Southern Methodist University , Dallas , Texas , USA.
authors.forename: Noelle B
authors.initials: NB
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Ashton M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Steele
authors.forename: Meara L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Weitzman
authors.forename: Ana F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Trueba
authors.forename: Alicia E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Meuret
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D054523:Adult Survivors of Child Abuse / Q000523:psychology*; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology*; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012649:Self Concept; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D012737:Sex Factors; D012742:Sex Offenses / Q000523:psychology; D014754:Violence / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: depression; nonsuicidal self-injury; physical abuse; self-disgust; sexual abuse