The Interaction of Distress Tolerance and Pain on the Frequency of Non-Suicidal Self Injury

Abstract

Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is the intentional damage to bodily tissues without intentions to die, independent of medically and socially approved procedures (piercings, surgeries). Many things contribute to NSSI behavior, one of which is low distress tolerance (DT). DT has been postulated as a foundation to NSSI. Multiple studies have linked NSSI with low distress tolerance, suggesting that NSSI is used as a coping mechanism for stress (Lin, You, Wu, & Jiang, 2017; Peterson, Davis-Becker, & Fisher 2014; Anestis, Pennings, Lavender, Tull, Gratz, 2013). In addition, NSSI has been suggested as a habituation to suicidal behavior by willingly exposing oneself to painful and distressing behaviors as a form of habituation (Law, Khazem, Jin & Anestis 2017). Habituation is the reduction of a response due to repetitive exposure. Individuals that use NSSI have been shown to increase in their pain endurance (PE) compared with control populations (Law et al., 2017; Glenn, Michel, Franklin, Hooley, & Nock 2013; Germain & Hooley, 2013).