The associations among self disgust, self critical rumination and non-suicidal self injury

Non-suicidal self-injury (NNSI) is a common problem, particularly in adolescence and emerging adulthood. There is a need for further information to highlight this behavior that is associated with various psychological problems and suicide. Therefore, the current study aimed to examine the relationships between self-critical rumination and self-disgust, which draW attention to explain various psychological problems in contemporary literature and NNSI. The study was carried out with 257 females (71.4%) and 103 males (28.6%) whose ages ranged between 18 and 25 (M = 22.20, SD = 2.05). Data were collected online using the Demographic Information Form, Self-Critical Rumination Scale, Self-Disgust Scale Revised, Inventory of Statements about Self-Injury, and Depression Anxiety Stress-21 Scale. According to the results of the correlation analysis, intrapersonal functions of NNSI including emotion regulation or self-punishment, are positively associated with depression, anxiety and self-critical rumination. On the other hand, interpersonal functions of NNSI characterized with social connection or asking for help, are positively correlated with anxiety and self-disgust. The group comparisons revealed that participants with NNSI had higher levels of self-critical rumination, self-disgust, depression, anxiety, and stress than those without NNSI. Finally, the hierarchical regression analysis revealed that none of the demographic characteristics, but an increase in depression and anxiety levels explained the variance in intrapersonal functions of NNSI. On the other hand, the increase in anxiety and self-disgust levels explained the variance in interpersonal functions of NNSI. These results have the potential to contribute to the literature by pointing to patterns that may be influential in the development of self-injury, thereby aiding in the case formulations and effective intervention methods. The findings of this study were discussed in light of the existing literature, and limitations, clinical implications, and future directions were provided for future research and clinical assessments.