Intrapersonal Functions of Nonsuicidal Self-Injury Statistically Mediate the Effect of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms on Fearlessness About Death
AI Summary
PTSD symptoms are positively associated with both intrapersonal and interpersonal functions of NSSI, but only intrapersonal functions are significantly linked to fearlessness about death (FAD).
PTSD symptoms showed no direct relationship with FAD but exert an indirect effect on FAD via intrapersonal NSSI functions.
Clinical interventions teaching adaptive emotional regulation may prevent increases in fearlessness about death among trauma-exposed individuals who engage in intrapersonal NSSI.
OBJECTIVE: Although not all trauma-exposed individuals develop posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms or NSSI, it has been suggested that those who use NSSI as a means of coping with PTSD symptoms increase their acquired capability for suicide. This study sought to test the relationship between PTSD symptom clusters, functions of NSSI, and suicide capability (i.e., fearlessness about death [FAD]) in a trauma-exposed sample of individuals with a history of self-injury.
METHOD: Self-report data were collected from undergraduates (N = 58) who ranged in age from 18-38 years (M = 19.62, SD = 3.28). Participants were primarily female (86.2%). Most identified as White (81%), 12.1% identified as African American/Black, 1.7% as Asian, 1.7% as American Indian/Alaskan Native and 3.5% of identified as Biracial. A parallel mediation model was employed.
RESULTS: Global PTSD symptoms exhibited a statistically significant positive relationship with intrapersonal (e.g., emotion regulation) and interpersonal (e.g., social) functions of NSSI. However, only intrapersonal functions were statistically significantly related to FAD. Although PTSD symptoms did not demonstrate a direct relationship with FAD, there was an indirect effect of PTSD symptoms on FAD through intrapersonal functions of NSSI.
CONCLUSIONS: Engaging in NSSI for the purpose of managing PTSD symptoms may contribute to FAD beyond the presence of PTSD symptoms or NSSI. Clinical interventions that promote adaptive emotional regulation strategies may help to thwart increases in FAD for trauma-exposed samples.
J Fam Psychol. 2026 Jun 29. doi: 10.1037/fam0001507. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTParents of transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) youth navigate various fears within a sociopolitical context...
Psychol Trauma. 2026 Jun 29. doi: 10.1037/tra0002219. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTOBJECTIVE: Intimate partner violence, which includes physical assault, sexual violation and coercion, economic abuse, as...
J Community Psychol. 2026 Jul;54(5):e70117. doi: 10.1002/jcop.70117.ABSTRACTAIMS: Historical oppression of Indigenous communities has led to high poverty, violence, and substance use. The pandemic amplified pre-existing...
J Community Psychol. 2026 Jul;54(5):e70107. doi: 10.1002/jcop.70107.ABSTRACTThe ongoing system of coloniality, sustained through dehumanisation, racialised violence, oppression, war, and genocidal acts of violence, has left...
J Interpers Violence. 2026 Jun 29:8862605261462151. doi: 10.1177/08862605261462151. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTChild Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) offending has increased in recent years. Rather than being...
