Applying a Cognitive-Emotional Model to Nonsuicidal Self-Injury

Abstract

Nonsuicidal self-injury (e.g. cutting, burning), is most commonly used as a strategy to reduce emotional distress. As such, theoretical models of self-injury have primarily focussed on the experience and regulation of emotion. This thesis extends emotion-oriented accounts of self-injury by considering the potential role of self-injury specific thoughts and beliefs in understanding the behaviour. Specifically it focuses on beliefs regarding anticipated consequences of self-injury and confidence in the ability to resist self-injury.