Citation

Zelkowitz RL, Cole DA. Suicide Life Threat. Behav. 2019; 49(1): 310-327.

Affiliation

Department of Psychology and Human Development, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, American Association of Suicidology, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/sltb.12436

PMID

29504147

Abstract

Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) and disordered eating (DE) are highly comorbid and may be regarded as belonging to a spectrum of self-harm behaviors. We investigated self-criticism as a transdiagnostic correlate of these behaviors, in keeping with etiological theories of both NSSI and DE. We reviewed the literature and meta-analyzed the relation of self-criticism to both NSSI (15 studies; 17 effect sizes) and DE (24 studies; 29 effect sizes).

RESULTS showed equivalent, moderate-to-large effects for the relation of self-criticism to NSSI (r = .38; CI:.29-.46) and DE (r = .40; CI:.34-.45). The relation of NSSI to self-criticism generalized across multiple potential moderators. DE behavior type moderated the relation of self-criticism to DE, with a stronger relation emerging for purging than restriction.

FINDINGS support self-criticism as a possible candidate for transdiagnostic pathways to self-harm.

© 2018 The American Association of Suicidology.

Language: en