Self-Criticism Impacts Emotional Responses to Pain.

Self-Criticism Impacts Emotional Responses to Pain.
Behav Ther. 2019 Mar;50(2):410-420
Authors: Fox KR, O'Sullivan IM, Wang SB, Hooley JM
Abstract
Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) is associated with numerous negative outcomes (e.g., suicide attempts), making it a focus of great clinical concern. Yet, mechanisms reinforcing NSSI remain unclear. The benefits and barriers model proposes that NSSI engagement is determined by both benefits of and barriers to NSSI. Benefits include mood improvement, a function reported by most who engage in NSSI; barriers include a desire to avoid pain and bodily harm. Self-criticism is generally understood as a trait lowering desire to avoid pain and bodily harm, thus decreasing that specific barrier. However, recent research demonstrated that self-criticism may also increase NSSI benefits. Highly self-critical people may view NSSI and pain in the context of feeling deserving of pain and punishment-thus, pain may improve mood for self-critical individuals. We tested whether self-criticism impacted emotional responding to pain among adult females with (n = 44) and without (n = 65) NSSI histories. After a negative mood induction, participants rated their moods before, during, and after self-administered pain. In participants with and without NSSI histories, self-criticism was positively correlated with mood improvements during pain. Thus, regardless of NSSI history, self-criticism impacted emotional responses...

Source: Behavior Therapy - February 28, 2019 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Fox KR, O'Sullivan IM, Wang SB, Hooley JM Tags: Behav Ther Source Type: research