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Exploring the role of anger in nonsuicidal self-injury in veterans.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Cassiello-Robbins, C; Dillon, KH; Blalock, DV; Calhoun, PS; Beckham, JC; Kimbrel, NA
Published in: J Psychiatr Res
May 2021

Up to 14% of veterans engage in nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) in their lifetime and this behavior is a relatively strong predictor of suicidal behavior compared to other identified risk factors. Further, NSSI is a clinically relevant behavior in its own right; it is associated with more severe psychopathology as well as bodily harm that sometimes requires medical intervention. Therefore, a better understanding of NSSI may help inform suicide prevention efforts as well as mental healthcare strategies for veterans. Anger may be relevant to understanding NSSI in veterans. Over 60% of veterans report difficulties managing anger and this emotion is strongly associated with engagement in NSSI. However, no research has explored the extent to which anger is present prior to NSSI or whether anger is associated with specific NSSI methods or functions in veterans. The purpose of this study was to explore whether anger was associated with engagement in specific NSSI methods, and whether anger uniquely predicted any functions of NSSI while controlling for the presence of other basic negative emotions (fear and sadness). An existing dataset of 61 veterans who reported engaging in NSSI in the past year was analyzed. Results indicated anger was the most common emotional antecedent to NSSI. Further, anger was associated with several methods of NSSI including burning oneself with a cigarette, carving pictures, designs or other marks into skin, sticking sharp objects into skin, severely scratching oneself, head banging, punching oneself, and punching walls or objects. Finally, when controlling for the presence of other negative emotions, anger was associated with engaging in NSSI to relieve tension, stop feeling numb, communicate with others, feel alive, get help from others, and prove to oneself how bad things are. These results highlight the importance of assessing and treating dysregulated anger in veterans who engage in self-harming behavior.

Duke Scholars

Published In

J Psychiatr Res

DOI

EISSN

1879-1379

Publication Date

May 2021

Volume

137

Start / End Page

55 / 65

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Veterans
  • Suicidal Ideation
  • Self-Injurious Behavior
  • Psychiatry
  • Humans
  • Emotions
  • Anger
  • 5203 Clinical and health psychology
  • 3202 Clinical sciences
  • 17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
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Cassiello-Robbins, C., Dillon, K. H., Blalock, D. V., Calhoun, P. S., Beckham, J. C., & Kimbrel, N. A. (2021). Exploring the role of anger in nonsuicidal self-injury in veterans. J Psychiatr Res, 137, 55–65. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2021.02.026
Cassiello-Robbins, Clair, Kirsten H. Dillon, Daniel V. Blalock, Patrick S. Calhoun, Jean C. Beckham, and Nathan A. Kimbrel. “Exploring the role of anger in nonsuicidal self-injury in veterans.J Psychiatr Res 137 (May 2021): 55–65. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2021.02.026.
Cassiello-Robbins C, Dillon KH, Blalock DV, Calhoun PS, Beckham JC, Kimbrel NA. Exploring the role of anger in nonsuicidal self-injury in veterans. J Psychiatr Res. 2021 May;137:55–65.
Cassiello-Robbins, Clair, et al. “Exploring the role of anger in nonsuicidal self-injury in veterans.J Psychiatr Res, vol. 137, May 2021, pp. 55–65. Pubmed, doi:10.1016/j.jpsychires.2021.02.026.
Cassiello-Robbins C, Dillon KH, Blalock DV, Calhoun PS, Beckham JC, Kimbrel NA. Exploring the role of anger in nonsuicidal self-injury in veterans. J Psychiatr Res. 2021 May;137:55–65.
Journal cover image

Published In

J Psychiatr Res

DOI

EISSN

1879-1379

Publication Date

May 2021

Volume

137

Start / End Page

55 / 65

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Veterans
  • Suicidal Ideation
  • Self-Injurious Behavior
  • Psychiatry
  • Humans
  • Emotions
  • Anger
  • 5203 Clinical and health psychology
  • 3202 Clinical sciences
  • 17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences