(PS2-A6) Examining the Role of Implicit Theories of Emotion and Nonsuicidal Self-injury Among Adolescents

Implicit theories of emotion (ITE) refer to beliefs about the malleability of emotions, ranging from entity (fixed) to incremental (malleable) theories. Generally, an incremental view supports emotion regulation (ER) and flexibility, ultimately yielding more successful outcomes. In youth, entity theories of emotion have been linked with poor mental health outcomes and maladaptive ER strategies. In fact, there is evidence that ER mediates the association between ITE and emotional outcomes. Despite nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) being commonly performed as an ER strategy, it remains a clinical outcome yet to be thoroughly examined in relation to ITE. In this present study, we hypothesized that community-based adolescents with a history of NSSI (“self-injurers”) would endorse greater entity theories than non-injurers, and that among self-injurers, higher endorsement of entity theories would predict greater lifetime NSSI frequency and severity. Additionally, we expected ER self-efficacy to mediate the association. This study represents a continued effort to identify risk factors associated with the ER mechanisms underpinning NSSI. If shown to be associated with NSSI, ITE may also be a feasible intervention target as implicit theories have been shown to be malleable.

The sample included 75 community-based adolescents between the ages of 12 and 19 (M = 16.21, SD = 2.25). The majority (57%) were female. The sample was relatively diverse in race (27% White, 21% Black, 21% Asian, 31% other or unknown) and sexual orientation (60% heterosexual, 19% bisexual, 5% questioning, 3% homosexual, 13% other or unknown). Thirty-two percent (n = 24) had a history of NSSI. There were no significant demographic differences between self-injurers and non-injurers, ps > .05. ITE was assessed through the Implicit Theories of Emotion Scale. NSSI history, lifetime frequency, and severity were assessed through the Self-Injurious Thoughts and Behaviors Interview. Finally, ER self-efficacy was measured through the Strategies Subscale of the Modified Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale.

Preliminary analyses revealed a marginally significant small-to-medium group difference in ITE scores (d = 0.47), with self-injurers endorsing greater entity theories than non-injurers, t(73) = 1.91, p = .06. Given that 61% of non-injurers were characterized by other clinical outcomes (e.g., suicidal ideation [SI], other depressive symptoms), we conducted post-hoc analyses examining ITE differences in individuals with: no depression, SI, and NSSI history (Group 1; n = 20); depression and/or SI but no NSSI history (Group 2; n = 31); NSSI history as well as depression and/or SI (Group 3; n = 21). There was a statistically significant medium-to-large group difference (η² = .10), F(2, 69) = 3.95, p = .02. Group 3 endorsed significantly greater entity theories than Group 1 (p = .02) but did not significantly differ from Group 2.

Thus far preliminary findings suggest that the way adolescents conceptualize their emotions may play an important role in self-injurious outcomes. Additional analyses will test the association between ITE and other features of NSSI beyond presence (i.e., frequency, severity), and whenever appropriate, the possibly mediating role of ER self-efficacy.