Non-Suicidal Self-Injury, Sexuality Concerns, and Emotion Regulation among Sexually Diverse Adolescents: A Multiple Mediation Analysis

Abstract

Despite increasing interest in the prevalence and correlates of Non-Suicidal Self-Injury (NSSI) in adolescent populations, relatively few studies have examined NSSI among lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) adolescents. The current study explored sexuality concerns and elevated emotion dysregulation as potential mechanisms underlying the relationship between sexual orientation and elevated non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI). A community sample of 1,799 adolescents completed a questionnaire assessing NSSI, sexual orientation, sexuality concerns, and emotion regulation. Across the study, 20.6% of adolescents reported a history of NSSI. Adolescents who identify as “mostly heterosexual,” “bisexual,” and “mostly homosexual” were more likely to engage in NSSI than gay/lesbian, heterosexual, and asexual adolescents. Multiple mediation analysis showed that emotion regulation, but not sexuality concerns, mediated the relationship between sexual orientation and NSSI. The current study tested two theoretical pathways by which sexual orientation could predict NSSI engagement. Findings suggest that literature on general psychological processes, as well as group-specific minority stressors, can shed light on high rates of NSSI among LGB populations. Specifically, the challenges faced by LGB adolescents may undermine the development of emotion regulation. As such, this should be a key target of intervention with LGB adolescents engaging in NSSI.

Keywords:

• emotion regulation
• LGBT
• non-suicidal self-injury
• NSSI
• sexual orientation
• youth

Notes

¹Given the significant interaction between sexual orientation and gender on NSSI, we also ran the multiple mediation analysis while holding gender constant. As before, transgender participants were excluded from this analysis due to small sample size. The inference was unchanged when controlling for gender. The combined indirect effect of Sexuality Concerns and Emotion Regulation remained significant (n = 1702, R² = .19, F(4, 1697) = 101.21, p < .001). Emotion regulated mediated the relationship between Sexuality and NSSI (CI = .03, .07), while Sexuality Concerns did not contribute to the total indirect effect (CI = −.002, .03).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Health Research Council of New Zealand: [Grant Number 11/645].

Notes on contributors

Gloria Fraser

Gloria Fraser, Psychology, Victoria University of Wellington, Kelburn Parade, Wellington, New Zealand.

Marc Stewart Wilson

Marc Stewart Wilson, Psychology, Victoria University of Wellington, Kelburn Parade, Wellington, New Zealand.

Jessica Anne Garisch

Jessica Anne Garisch, Psychology, Victoria University of Wellington, Kelburn Parade, and Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service, Capital and Coast District Health Board, Wellington, New Zealand.

Kealagh Robinson

Kealagh Robinson, Psychology, Victoria University of Wellington, Kelburn Parade, Wellington, New Zealand.

Madeleine Brocklesby

Madeleine Brocklesby, Psychology, Victoria University of Wellington, Kelburn Parade, Wellington, New Zealand.

Tahlia Kingi

Tahlia Kingi, Psychology, Victoria University of Wellington, Kelburn Parade, Wellington, New Zealand.

Angelique O’Connell

Angelique O’Connell, Psychology, Victoria University of Wellington, Kelburn Parade and Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service, Capital and Coast District Health Board, Wellington, New Zealand.

Lynne Russell

Lynne Russell, Health Promotion Agency, Wellington, New Zealand.