ORCID

0000-0003-3826-8099

Keywords

suicide, self-injury, self-injurious thoughts and behaviors, parenting, attachment, reflective functioning

Abstract

Self-injurious thoughts and behaviors (SITBs) are associated with numerous adverse consequences, including an increased risk of suicide, for youth populations (Castellví et al., 2017; Kiekens et al., 2018). This study developed a more nuanced understanding of the factors associated with SITBs by examining proximal intrapersonal (i.e., daily youth negative affect) and interpersonal (i.e., daily youth interpersonal conflict) factors on youth SITBs utilizing experience sampling methods (ESMs). This study also examined how specific modifiable characteristics (i.e., parent-youth attachment and parental reflective functioning) may moderate these proximal associations. Results from a series of multilevel, mixed-effects negative binomial regression analyses conducted on a sample of parent-youth dyads (n = 24) revealed significant direct associations between both proximal intrapersonal and intrapersonal factors and youth SITBs. Significant main effects were seen between daily youth negative affect and daily youth interpersonal stress with peers, though no such significant effects were seen between daily youth positive affect and daily youth interpersonal stress with family. Regarding moderation effects, significant moderation effects of secure attachment on the association between both daily youth interpersonal stress with family, daily youth interpersonal stress with peers, and youth SITBs were seen. Results also showed significant moderation effects of parental reflective functioning on both daily youth interpersonal stress with family, daily youth interpersonal stress with peers, and youth SITBs. Overall, these findings add support to current comprehensive models of SITB in youth populations and highlight the need for a more multifaceted approach to prevention and intervention efforts that focus on both intra- and interpersonal factors that may more immediately influence youth SITBs, as well as on modifiable characteristics, such as parent-youth attachment and parental reflective functioning.

Completion Date

2025

Semester

Summer

Committee Chair

Robert D. Dvorak

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

College

College of Sciences

Department

Psychology

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

Campus Location

Orlando (Main) Campus

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