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Psychological Meanings and Functions of Non-suicidal Self-Injury and Eating Disorders

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Non-Suicidal Self-Injury in Eating Disorders

Abstract

Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) and eating disorder behaviors have many things in common, including some of the reasons why people do them. Many researchers have taken a syndromal approach, whereby such behaviors are seen as symptoms of some underlying illness, but it may be more fruitful to examine these behaviors from a functional approach, in which maladaptive behaviors are instead goal-directed behaviors performed to obtain some desired end. This chapter focuses on a functional perspective, presenting evidence for a four-factor model that might underlie both eating disorders and NSSI behavior. This model proposes two dichotomous dimensions including contingencies that are automatic versus social and reinforcement that is positive (i.e., followed by the presentation of a favorable stimulus) versus negative (i.e., followed by the removal of an aversive stimulus). Such an approach has a considerable impact on methodological considerations in research and clinical assessment and treatment. It suggests that a functional assessment might be useful in evaluating such patients and influencing treatment options, especially when these behaviors overlap.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. McLean Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, 02478, USA

    Michelle M. Wedig

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  1. Michelle M. Wedig
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Correspondence to Michelle M. Wedig .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium

    Laurence Claes

  2. Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, USA

    Jennifer J. Muehlenkamp

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Wedig, M.M. (2014). Psychological Meanings and Functions of Non-suicidal Self-Injury and Eating Disorders. In: Claes, L., Muehlenkamp, J. (eds) Non-Suicidal Self-Injury in Eating Disorders. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-40107-7_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-40107-7_5

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