Applying social cognitive theory to nonsuicidal self-injury: Interactions between expectancy beliefs. Issue 7 (3rd October 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dawkins, Jessica C.; Hasking, Penelope A.; Boyes, Mark E.
• Is Part Of: Journal of American college health. Volume 70:Issue 7(2022)
• Page Start: 1990
• Page End: 1998
• Publication Date: 2022-10-03
• Subjects: Context -- nonsuicidal self-injury -- outcome expectancies -- self-efficacy -- social cognitive theory; College students -- Health and hygiene -- United States -- Periodicals; College students -- Health and hygiene -- Periodicals; College students -- Mental health -- Periodicals; Universities and colleges -- Health promotion services -- Periodicals; 362.10883781980973
• DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2020.1841771
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0744-8481

Abstract

Abstract: Objective A measure was recently developed which assesses self-efficacy to resist NSSI across differing contexts. The aim of this study was to examine how self-efficacy to resist NSSI across contexts interacts with NSSI-related outcome expectancies when differentiating NSSI history. Participant: 501 Australian college students aged 17–40 years ( M = 21.21, SD = 2.36). Method: Participants completed online questionnaires. Results: Self-efficacy to resist NSSI when in contexts considered to be protective or of high risk moderated the relationships between NSSI-related outcome expectancies and recent engagement in NSSI. Participants who expected NSSI to result in communication were more likely to have recently engaged in NSSI if they held weak self-efficacy to resist NSSI in protective contexts. Expecting NSSI to result in diminished self-worth was protective against weak self-efficacy to resist NSSI. Conclusion: Results support the application of Social Cognitive Theory to NSSI and provide future avenues for exploring NSSI-specific cognitions.