Psychological Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

The unique relationship between childhood sexual abuse, self-injury and suicide ideation: The mediating role of emotion dysregulation

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-2023

Abstract

Child sexual abuse (CSA) has serious short-term and long-term effects, including non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) and suicidal ideation (SI). One possible thread linking CSA to NSSI and suicide risk is emotion dysregulation. The current study assessed whether facets of emotion dysregulation mediated relations of NSSI behaviours and functions, and SI. Participants (N = 121; Mean age = 18.69, age-range 18–22; 78 per cent female), college students with a history of childhood trauma, completed an online survey. Results indicated that facets of emotion dysregulation (i.e. clarity, non-acceptance) mediated the relationship between CSA and SI. CSA was associated with automatic negative reinforcement, social negative and social positive reinforcement NSSI functions, but was not associated with NSSI behaviours. Emotion dysregulation facets did not mediate the relationship between CSA and NSSI functions. Findings highlight the need to help CSA survivors have clarity and acceptance of emotional experiences to reduce SI risk.

Comments

© 2022 Association of Child Protection Professionals and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/share/D5XM5CH8RIQAIIBF4FSY?target=10.1002/car.2787

Publication Title

Child Abuse Review

DOI

10.1002/car.2787

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