Marilyn L Piccirillo1,2, Taylor A Burke1,3, Samantha L Moore-Berg1,4, Lauren B Alloy1, Richard G Heimberg1. 1. Department of Psychology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA. 2. Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA. 3. Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Brown University Alpert Medical School, Providence, RI, USA. 4. Annenberg School for Communication, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Evidence suggests that individuals without a history of nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) are likely to view NSSI as a stigmatized behavior. However, there is limited evidence evaluating the presence of self-stigma among individuals who have engaged in NSSI. METHODS: We recruited a university sample (n = 351) and employed implicit and explicit measures to examine the degree of stigmatization toward those with NSSI scarring, as compared to nonintentional disfigurement (i.e., accidental scarring) and to tattoos (i.e., a culturally sanctioned form of intentional tissue alteration). We examined the extent to which bias is related to indicators of NSSI severity among those with a history of NSSI. RESULTS: We provide evidence that negative biases toward NSSI may represent the effects of self-stigma. However, findings suggest that biases were generally attenuated among participants with a history of NSSI as compared to those without. Participants who had lower levels of NSSI explicit bias were more likely to have a history of more severe engagement in NSSI; however, no significant relationships were found between implicit bias and NSSI severity indicators. CONCLUSIONS: We present a theoretical rationale for attenuated biases among individuals with a history of NSSI and discuss implications of this research for NSSI recovery.
OBJECTIVE: Evidence suggests that individuals without a history of nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) are likely to view NSSI as a stigmatized behavior. However, there is limited evidence evaluating the presence of self-stigma among individuals who have engaged in NSSI. METHODS: We recruited a university sample (n = 351) and employed implicit and explicit measures to examine the degree of stigmatization toward those with NSSI scarring, as compared to nonintentional disfigurement (i.e., accidental scarring) and to tattoos (i.e., a culturally sanctioned form of intentional tissue alteration). We examined the extent to which bias is related to indicators of NSSI severity among those with a history of NSSI. RESULTS: We provide evidence that negative biases toward NSSI may represent the effects of self-stigma. However, findings suggest that biases were generally attenuated among participants with a history of NSSI as compared to those without. Participants who had lower levels of NSSI explicit bias were more likely to have a history of more severe engagement in NSSI; however, no significant relationships were found between implicit bias and NSSI severity indicators. CONCLUSIONS: We present a theoretical rationale for attenuated biases among individuals with a history of NSSI and discuss implications of this research for NSSI recovery.
Authors: Galit Geulayov; Rohan Borschmann; Karen L Mansfield; Keith Hawton; Paul Moran; Mina Fazel Journal: Front Psychiatry Date: 2022-06-24 Impact factor: 5.435