Experiencing and Resisting Nonsuicidal Self‐injury Thoughts and Urges in Everyday Life
Abstract
Objective We used a daily diary to examine (1) the frequency of three types of NSSI thoughts and urges (fleeting thoughts, persistent thoughts, and intense urges), (2) the correlates of NSSI thought and urges within and across days, (3) strategies that aid in resisting NSSI thoughts and urges, and (4) the prospective association of daily NSSI thoughts and urges with NSSI behavior over 12 months. Method Sixty adults (aged 18-35) completed a two-week daily diary and follow-ups every 3 months for one year. Results Fleeting NSSI thoughts were reported on 48% of days, whereas persistent thoughts (11%) and intense urges (17%) were less common. Within days, earlier stress predicted more persistent NSSI thoughts, whereas earlier perceived support predicted less intense NSSI urges. Furthermore, NSSI thoughts and urges were positively associated with same-day stress and avoidant coping. Problem-focused coping was associated with greater success resisting same-day fleeting thoughts and intense urges, as well as success resisting next-day persistent thoughts. Perceived support was associated with less intense same-day urges, but also less success resisting these urges. Over the follow-up, persistent thoughts predicted less frequent NSSI, whereas intense urges predicted more frequent NSSI. Conclusions NSSI thoughts and urges are commonly experienced and deserve further attention.
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These urges are less commonly experienced than the more frequent fleeting thoughts of self-harm suggested in previous literature.
“The findings indicate participant urges to self-harm lasted from 3-4 hrs to 3 days, indicating persistent and intense experiences, which are less commonly experienced than the more frequent fleeting thoughts of self-harm suggested in previous literature (Turner et al., 2019).”
From A multi‐method evaluation of a compassion‐focused cognitive behavioural psychotherapy group for people who self‐harm. (2022) · cites this paper as Turner et al., 2019
Cites
Measurement of Deliberate Self-Harm: Preliminary Data on the Deliberate Self-Harm Inventory
Gratz, K. L. (2001) · Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment · doi:10.1023/a:1012779403943 · Cited by 1,166 · see citing works
Self-citationTurner, B. J., Austin, S. B., & Chapman, A. L. (2014) · The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry · doi:10.1177/070674371405901103 · Cited by 259 · see citing works
Self-citationZaki, L. F., Coifman, K. G., Rafaeli, E., Berenson, K. R., & Downey, G. (2013) · Behavior Therapy · doi:10.1016/j.beth.2013.04.008 · Cited by 161 · see citing works
Cawood, C. D., & Huprich, S. K. (2011) · Journal of Personality Disorders · doi:10.1521/pedi.2011.25.6.765 · Cited by 97 · see citing works
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Rayner, G. C., Bowling, G., Bluff, L., Wright, K., Ashworth‐Lord, A., & Laird, C. (2022) · Counselling and Psychotherapy Research · doi:10.1002/capr.12516 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
- Authors
- Turner, B. J., Baglole, J. S., Chapman, A. L., & Gratz, K. L.
- Affiliations
- University of Victoria (CA)
- Carleton University (CA)
- Simon Fraser University (CA)
- University of Toledo (US)
- Corresponding author
- Turner, Brianna J.
- Venue
- Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2018-08-26
- Volume
- 49
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 1332-1346
- ISSN
- 0363-0234 (ISSN-L)
- 1943-278X
- OpenAlex
- W2888778556
- Cited by
- 57
- References
- 4
- Citations by year
- 2026: 8 · 2025: 12 · 2024: 12 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 2
- FWCI
- 4.10
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Suicide and Self-Harm Studies
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Personality Disorders and Psychopathology
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Mental Health via Writing
- Keywords
- non-suicidal self-injury, self-injurious thoughts, stress, perceived social support, avoidance coping, problem-focused coping, daily fluctuations
- MeSH terms
- Self-Control, Psychosocial Support Systems, Adaptation, Psychological, Adult, Female, Humans, Inhibition, Psychological, Male, Prospective Studies, Self-Injurious Behavior
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