Cognitive Systems in NSSI and Co-Occurring Conditions

Elizabeth Lloyd-Richardson (Editor), Imke Baetens (Editor), Janis Whitlock (Editor), Morgan E. Browning, Jennifer J. Muehlenkamp

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

Abstract

Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) is conceptualized as an emotion-avoidant behavior similar to other co-occurring maladaptive behaviors such as substance abuse, disordered eating, and obsessive-compulsive behaviors. Although all these behaviors are motivated by emotion avoidance resulting in short-term benefits, a variety of cognitive processes are vital to understanding the onset and maintenance of these behaviors. This chapter overviews current research on the cognitive processes and related neurobiological features believed to increase vulnerability to NSSI. The chapter provides an integrative summary proposing that NSSI originates from a cognitive control dysfunction, rumination, and attentional biases toward negative emotions that result in the use of NSSI or other maladaptive regulation strategies. Continued use of the behavior leads to a cyclical pattern of reward that increases positive expectancies, attentional biases, development of rule-governed behavior, and cognitive inflexibility, and reliance on NSSI for coping is exacerbated. The integrated cycle of cognitive processes discussed in this chapter complements recent transdiagnostic models of emotion-avoidant disorders and helps to expand current emotion-focused theoretical understandings of NSSI.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationThe Oxford Handbook of Nonsuicidal Self-Injury
PublisherOxford University Press
Pages309-327
Number of pages19
ISBN (Electronic)9780197611302
ISBN (Print)9780197611272
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 23 Feb 2023

Bibliographical note

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© Oxford University Press 2024. All rights reserved.

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