OBJECTIVE: The presence of nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) in eating-disordered (ED) patients is considered a complicating factor in treatment with a possibly adverse influence on patients' motivation to change. Using Self-Determination Theory as a guiding framework, we compared ED patients with and without NSSI in terms of their well-being and their motives to undertake psychotherapeutic change. METHOD: Data were collected in a sample of 95 ED patients, including 37 patients displaying at least some type of NSSI. RESULTS: Patients with NSSI, relative to those without, felt more externally pressured to undertake change and reported lower overall well-being. Mean level differences in well-being between both patient groups were fully accounted for by patients' externally pressuring motives for pursuing change. DISCUSSION: In ED patients with NSSI, there is an important link between their more externally driven motivation to change and their lowered psychological well-being. It is discussed how clinicians can approach these patients to pursue change.
OBJECTIVE: The presence of nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) in eating-disordered (ED) patients is considered a complicating factor in treatment with a possibly adverse influence on patients' motivation to change. Using Self-Determination Theory as a guiding framework, we compared ED patients with and without NSSI in terms of their well-being and their motives to undertake psychotherapeutic change. METHOD: Data were collected in a sample of 95 ED patients, including 37 patients displaying at least some type of NSSI. RESULTS:Patients with NSSI, relative to those without, felt more externally pressured to undertake change and reported lower overall well-being. Mean level differences in well-being between both patient groups were fully accounted for by patients' externally pressuring motives for pursuing change. DISCUSSION: In ED patients with NSSI, there is an important link between their more externally driven motivation to change and their lowered psychological well-being. It is discussed how clinicians can approach these patients to pursue change.