Examining the Relationship between the Function of Nonsuicidal Self-Injury (NSSI) and Motivation to Stop NSSI in Emerging Adulthood

Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) is defined as an intentional or deliberate self-inflicted act resulting in tissue damage without suicidal intent and that is not socially sanctioned. NSSI can have disastrous consequences and lifelong impacts on an individual. While research in the field of NSSI is growing there remains little research on factors associated with the discontinuation of NSSI. This study utilized a sample of college students (n = 103) to investigate individual's motivation to engage in NSSI and how these motivations relate to reasons individuals gave for stopping NSSI. Logistic regression was used to determine if different motivation styles were predictive of whether or not an individual would have been NSSI for 12 months or more. Linear regression was used to determine if different motivation styles were significant predictors of Vulnerability or Resiliency-related reasons for stopping NSSI. Results suggested that automatic-positive reinforcement as motivation for NSSI may be predictive of higher scores for Vulnerability-related reasons for stopping NSSI. However, functions of NSSI failed to produce predictive ability for distinction between Continued or Discontinued NSSI, or Resiliency-related reasons for stopping NSSI.