ABSTRACT
Objectives
Emerging evidence suggests that alexithymia, a psychological construct defined by the inability to describe emotion, differentiate feelings, and think in an internally oriented way, may be relevant in understanding engagement in nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI). However, there is a paucity of longitudinal work on alexithymia and NSSI, which is necessary to discern whether alexithymia may heighten risk for NSSI over time.
Methods
In the present study, the association between alexithymia and NSSI was examined among 1125 emerging adults (Mage = 17.96, 72% female), who completed a survey at two time points 4 months apart.
Results
Participants with a history of NSSI reported higher levels of alexithymia than those with no NSSI engagement. A zero-inflated negative binomial regression model revealed that higher alexithymia at Time 1 predicted greater diversity in NSSI methods (i.e., NSSI versatility), but not NSSI frequency, at Time 2, for those already engaging in NSSI (p < 0.01, controlling for NSSI history at Time 1, emotion regulation difficulties, age, and gender). Significant differences were found in NSSI functions based on alexithymia among individuals with a lifetime history of NSSI at both time points. Among participants with a history of NSSI, alexithymia was most strongly correlated with anti-dissociation, sensation seeking, self-punishment, toughness, and interpersonal boundaries NSSI functions.
Conclusion
Findings underscore that alexithymia may be relevant to understanding NSSI severity.