Citation

Reyneke A, Naidoo S. Soc. Work Pract. Res. 2020; 32(3).

Copyright

(Copyright © 2020, University of Johannesburg)

DOI

10.25159/2708-9355/7640

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Nonsuicidal self-injury has become a worrying phenomenon among adolescents worldwide, emphasising the need for increasing public health awareness and exploration of the factors associated with this behaviour. This study was framed using Joiner's Interpersonal-Psychological Theory of Suicide and Nock and Prinstein's four-function model of nonsuicidal self-injury. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between the interpersonal needs constructs of Joiner's theory and nonsuicidal self-injury and is motivated by the need to explore the contagion of self-injury. A cross-sectional convenience sampling method was used to obtain a sample of 216 adolescents, who were recruited from four schools in the greater Durban area, South Africa. Regression analyses were performed to establish whether a relationship exists between the interpersonal needs constructs and nonsuicidal self-injury. The results indicated a positive relationship between perceived burdensomeness and the occurrence of nonsuicidal self-injury in this sample, thereby illuminating thwarted interpersonal needs as a contributor to the occurrence of nonsuicidal self-injury in adolescents. © Unisa Press 2020

Language: en

Keywords

Perceived burdensomeness; Nonsuicidal self-injury; Thwarted belongingness; Interpersonal needs; Interpersonal–psychological theory of suicide