Examining Nonsuicidal Self-Injury Features as Motivational Moderators in the Relationship Between Hopelessness and Suicide Ideation

Abstract

Objective

Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a robust predictor of suicide ideation and attempts, but it is not clear how and why this connection is so strong. Using the Integrated Motivational-Volitional Model of suicide as a framework, select features of NSSI were examined as motivational moderators between hopelessness and suicide ideation.

Method

Data were collected from 420 emerging adults (mean age = 18.9; 84% female, 92% white), all of whom had past-year NSSI. Participants completed self-report measures that assessed NSSI and suicide history, effectiveness of NSSI in achieving functions, and hopelessness; they also completed the self-injury Implicit Association Test (IAT).

Results

Moderation analyses revealed that none of the interactions were significant. Additional analyses tested unconditional effects of all predictor variables and found hopelessness, self-rated future likelihood of engaging in NSSI, effectiveness of NSSI in achieving intrapersonal functions, and self-injury IAT scores were each significantly associated with suicide ideation.

Conclusions

These results reinforce the important role of hopelessness, perceived effectiveness of NSSI in achieving intrapersonal functions, acknowledgement of future NSSI, and self-identification with NSSI as potential indicators of increased suicide risk, while also emphasizing further study of other possible moderating factors.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Features of NSSI did not moderate the hopelessness-suicide ideation relationship.

• Features of NSSI did associate with increased suicide ideation frequency.

• Future likelihood of, implicit association with, and intrapersonal effectiveness of NSSI were important.

Keywords:

• Hopelessness
• nonsuicidal self-injury
• NSSI
• risk factor
• suicide ideation

DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This project was supported by the National Institute of Mental Health of the National Institutes of Health under award [number R15MH110960-01] and the National Institute of General Medical Sciences under award [number P20GM103436]. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

Notes on contributors

Amy M. Brausch

Amy M. Brausch, Department of Psychological Sciences, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY, USA.

Jennifer J. Muehlenkamp

Jennifer J. Muehlenkamp, Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Eau Claire, WI, USA.

Ava K. Fergerson

Ava K. Fergerson, Department of Psychological Sciences, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY, USA; Ava K. Fergerson is now at the School of Psychology, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, USA.

Eliza H. Laves

Eliza H. Laves, Meredith B. Whitfield, and Rebekah B. Clapham, Department of Psychological Sciences, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY, USA.

Meredith B. Whitfield

Eliza H. Laves, Meredith B. Whitfield, and Rebekah B. Clapham, Department of Psychological Sciences, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY, USA.

Rebekah B. Clapham

Eliza H. Laves, Meredith B. Whitfield, and Rebekah B. Clapham, Department of Psychological Sciences, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY, USA.