1 - (SYM 146) How to Cope?: The Association Between Positive Coping Strategies and NSSI Engagement

Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is often cited as an emotion regulation strategy and is linked to other maladaptive coping strategies (i.e., Cawood & Huprich, 2011; Kiekens et al., 2015). Conversely, the use of positive coping may be negatively associated with NSSI engagement. For example, positive coping behaviors have been shown to be protective of self-injury for those who are psychologically distressed (Williams & Hasking, 2009) and may be linked to NSSI cessation (Gelinas & Wright, 2013). This protective relationship may not exist for all populations, however. Heavy alcohol use, which has been linked to increased risk for NSSI (Bresin & Mekawi, 2022) negated the protective relationship of positive coping (Williams & Hasking, 2009). Thus, there is a need to further explore the relationship between positive coping strategies and NSSI among those with problematic drinking. Further, it may be particularly important to consider these relationships at the momentary level as risk for NSSI has been shown to fluctuate within day.

To address study aims, a total of 56 undergraduate students who met the cutoff for problematic substance use completed 21 days of ecological momentary assessment, receiving 4 survey prompts per day (73.8% compliance). Each survey assessed for NSSI engagement and the utilization of seven positive coping behaviors. We investigated both state (i.e., within person) and trait (i.e., between person) relationships between each positive coping behavior and NSSI engagement. Further, both concurrent and prospective relationships were examined.

 There were several concurrent associations. There was a negative, state relationship between socializing and NSSI (b = -0.69; 95% CI: -1.33, -0.06); a positive, state relationship between finding perspective and NSSI (b = 0.89; 95% CI: 0.12, 1.69); and a positive, trait relationship between positive thinking and NSSI (b = 13.67, 95% CI: 1.78, 29.99). There was a prospective positive relationship between sitting with feelings until they pass and NSSI, after including the NSSI autoregressive effect (b = 12.08; 95% CI: 0.38, 28.04).

 Findings demonstrate that days on which an individual is more likely to use socializing as a way to cope reduces the likelihood of NSSI, highlighting socializing with others as an important positive coping strategy. Alternatively, several coping strategies often conceptualized as positive (i.e., positive thinking; sitting with one’s feelings) may actually increase the likelihood of NSSI engagement.