Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2017
Publication Title
Crisis: The Journal of Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention
Abstract
Background: Alcohol use and nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) appear to share a conceptual overlap in functions (e.g., tension reduction). Alcohol use has been identified as a risk factor for NSSI, and higher rates of alcohol use have been documented among those with NSSI history. Aims: This study examined whether NSSI-related alcohol expectancies affect relations between NSSI and alcohol use. Method: Participants were 367 college students (73% female) asked to complete an online survey about their drinking behavior and lifetime NSSI. Results: NSSI and alcohol use were highly prevalent in this sample: 56% endorsed lifetime NSSI and 74% endorsed current alcohol use. Of note, 43% (n = 147) endorsed both behaviors. Positive NSSI-related alcohol expectancies showed a significant association with lifetime NSSI. In addition, positive NSSI-related alcohol expectancies were associated with more frequent drinking behavior for individuals with a history of NSSI, particularly those who had engaged in two or more methods of lifetime NSSI. Conclusion: Alcohol use and NSSI represent high-risk behaviors commonly employed to regulate unwanted affective states. Interventions targeting substance use and/or NSSI may consider assessing positive NSSI and substance use expectancies, as the presence of these beliefs suggests a higher risk profile.
Volume
38
Issue
2
First Page
115
Last Page
122
DOI
10.1027/0227-5910/a000417
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Rights
Licensed to Smith College and distributed CC-BY 4.0 under the Smith College Faculty Open Access Policy.
Recommended Citation
Jarvi Steele, Stephanie and Swenson, Lance P., "The Role of Positive Expectancies in Risk Behavior: An Exploration of Alcohol Use and Non- Suicidal Self-Injury" (2017). Psychology: Faculty Publications, Smith College, Northampton, MA.
https://scholarworks.smith.edu/psy_facpubs/208
Comments
Peer reviewed accepted manuscript.