ORCID
- Julie L. Ji: 0000-0003-1688-9708
Abstract
Objectives: Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is theorized to be reinforced by its emotional consequences. Mental images of NSSI are commonly reported as occurring prior to NSSI. Based on the known functional properties of anticipatory mental imagery as an emotional and motivational amplifier, this study investigated whether NSSI mental imagery constitutes a proximal and dynamic mechanism underpinning NSSI risk. Method: An intensive ecological momentary assessment (EMA) study was conducted to track the occurrence and characteristics of NSSI mental imagery alongside NSSI urge and behavior in naturalistic settings. A sample of N = 43 individuals aged 17 to 24 with a history of repetitive NSSI completed EMA surveys seven times a day for 14 days. Results: Mental preoccupation in the form of NSSI mental imagery-based flash-forwards to the actions, bodily sensations, and emotional benefits of NSSI was found to occur when NSSI urge was high but not when urge was low. Critically, objective cross-panel analyses showed that higher frequencies of NSSI imagery occurrence predicted greater future NSSI urge and increased likelihood of acting on urge, over and above current urge. Conclusions: Mental imagery of NSSI is not simply an epiphenomenal by-product of NSSI urge and may constitute a dynamic and proximal novel intervention target.
Publication Date
2024-04-10
Publication Title
Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior
Volume
54
Issue
4
ISSN
0363-0234
Keywords
flash-forward mental imagery, motivation, non-suicidal self-injury, self-harm
First Page
713
Last Page
727
Recommended Citation
Ji, J., Kyron, M., Saulsman, L., Becerra, R., Lin, A., Hasking, P., & Holmes, E. (2024) 'Picturing self‐harm: Investigating flash‐forward mental imagery as a proximal and modifiable driver of non‐suicidal self‐injury', Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 54(4), pp. 713-727. Retrieved from https://pearl.plymouth.ac.uk/psy-research/755
