Trauma Exposure and Non-Suicidal Self-Injury: the Role of Developmental Timing

• In Event: Poster Session 11
  In Poster Session: PS 11 Topic - Developmental Psychopathology

Abstract

Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) refers to the deliberate, self-inflicted destruction of body tissue without suicidal intent (Nock & Favazza, 2009). Research highlights adolescence and young adulthood as high-risk periods for NSSI (Mercado et al., 2017), for which typical onset is age 13 to 14 and duration is 2 to 4 years (Walsh, 2012.) Much of the research on NSSI is cross-sectional, however, so the developmental course remains understudied. Further, research regarding factors that may influence age of onset and cessation is sparse, though it may be part of the post-traumatic response (Cheng et al., 2010).

Research suggests up to 79% of college students who engage in NSSI report a history of childhood trauma (Gratz et al., 2002). Early childhood may represent a particularly sensitive period due to rapid and malleable neurodevelopment (De Young et al., 2011). Adolescence may be equally vulnerable due to heightened behavioral disinhibition and social sensitivity (Blakemore & Mills, 2014). Given that NSSI increases suicide risk (Kiekens et al., 2018), identifying sensitive trauma exposure periods that may influence developmental trajectories is crucial.

The current study tests the hypothesis that earlier onset of NSSI, as measured by the SHBQ (Gutierrez, 1998), would predict a longer period of NSSI and the relation would be explained (mediated) by total PTE (cumulative exposure), as measured by the TEQ (Vrana & Lauterback, 1994). Further, we hypothesized that initial trauma exposure during early childhood (0–5 years) and adolescence (11–18 years) would amplify the risk for cumulative PTE exposure and longer NSSI duration. The model is depicted in Figure 1.

Emerging adults (N = 163) at a southern university completed online self-report measures. A moderated mediation analysis with PROCESS (Hayes, 2013; model 8) was used to assess the extent to which cumulative PTE exposure mediates the path from NSSI onset to duration. The model also examined the differential moderating effects of timing (developmental period of first PTE) in predicting total PTE exposure and NSSI duration. The moderator, initial age of trauma exposure, was coded categorically and analyses were mean centered. Overall, the model significantly predicted NSSI duration; F (6, 40) = 10.03, p < .01. Approximately 60% of the variance in NSSI duration was accounted for by the predictors (R2 = .77). Current findings suggest that NSSI onset negatively predicts total trauma exposure, b = - 0.667, SE = .203, p < .01, and negatively predicts NSSI duration b = - 0.342, SE = .164, p < .05. Additionally, timing of first PTE significantly moderated the relation between NSSI onset and NSSI duration, such that exposure during early childhood as compared to middle childhood significantly decreased NSSI duration for those with early NSSI onset, b = - 0.645, SE = .218, p < .01 (see Figure 2).

Findings will be further discussed within the context of developmental periods. Ultimately, this research aims to contribute to our understanding of the role of trauma and timing in potentially predicting NSSI onset and duration, and thus inform programs and policies aiming to prevent and curtail self-harm.

Authors

• Jenna Russo, Mississippi State University
  Presenting Author

• Deepali Dhruve, Mississippi State University
  Non-Presenting Author

• Arazais D Oliveros, Mississippi State University
  Non-Presenting Author