No abstract

BACKGROUND: Deliberate self-harm includes direct and indirect behaviors that cause harm to the body. Various manifestations of such behavior (e.g., non-suicidal self-injuries) are prevalent in adolescent and youth populations, and they often serve as precursors of subsequent suicidal behavior. The interpersonal dynamics that lead to self-harm behavior remain understudied. Interpersonal sensitivity, defined as an anticipation of criticism and fear of rejection in ones relationships with other people, may become one such factor. AIM: The present study was conducted to investigate the relationship between interpersonal sensitivity, psychopathological symptoms, and types of self-harm. METHODS: The sample (n=804, 1735 years, M=23.34.6 years) was recruited in online communities. A survey developed by the authors was used to measure the types of self-harm. Other measures included the Interpersonal Sensitivity Measure and Symptom Checklist-90-R. RESULTS: It was discovered that superficial self-injuries could be related to more severe types of self-harm, destructive for the body on the whole (e.g., risk-taking, deprivation, fasting, substance abuse). Fear of rejection and psychopathological symptoms emerged as predictors of both superficial self-injuries and self-destructive behavior. Although younger respondents (1719 years old) were more likely to inflict on themselves superficial self-injuries, those who scored high on fear of rejection were more likely to report more severe self-destructive behavior. Acute psychological distress elevated this risk for both younger and older participants (2735 years old). CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study point at the important role the dynamics of interpersonal relationships plays in perpetuating self-harm.

We present the results of a study conducted to validate the Interpersonal Sensitivity measure in the Russian sample. Interpersonal sensitivity is a personality trait encompassing preoccupation with the behavior and emotions of other people and fear of their criticism and rejection (Boyce, Parker, 1989). The sample consisted of 645 participants (100 men) aged 18—35 (M=22.92±5.01). A three-factor structure of the measure was revealed in the Russian sample; the factors named Dependence on the Appraisal by Others, Fear of Rejection and Interpersonal Worry converged in the higher-order factor of Interpersonal Sensitivity. The scales yielded good internal consistency and test-retest reliability. Interpersonal sensitivity was higher in women and decreased with age. It was significantly positively related to rejection sensitivity, loneliness, state anxiety, and emotional dysregulation, and negatively related to emotional stability. Conclusions: Interpersonal Sensitivity measure can be used in psychological studies to assess personal factors of distress.

The present study was called forth by the relevant issue of COVID-19 pandemic. We emphasize that it emerged as a traumatic situation for many people, whereas measures against its spread further exacerbate psychological distress. In the current study we focused on interpersonal sensitivity in the clinical sense, as a heightened vulnerability to emotions and behaviors of the others linked to expectations of critique and rejection. The study examined the relationships between interpersonal sensitivity and a) protective measures against COVID-19; b) affiliation motivation, loneliness and current emotional state. The relationships were assessed employing correlation, regression and mediation analysis. The sample included 496 people (85,5% women and 14,5% men), aged 14—59 (M=20,42; SD=6,2).We used a survey including questions on adherence to social distancing recommendations and use of protective measures, the Russian versions of PANAS, UCLA Loneliness Scale, Mehrabian’s Affiliative Tendency and Sensitivity to Rejection Scales and Interpersonal Sensitivity Measure. The results show that interpersonal sensitivity increased in youth, positively correlated with negative affect, loneliness and fear of rejection, and negatively correlated with affiliation motivation, positive affect and self-reported psychological and physical state. Interpersonal sensitivity positively and affiliation motivation negatively predicted the choice of two protective measures: going out less and limiting contacts. Affiliation motivation mediated the relationship between interpersonal sensitivity and going out less.

Background: the subjective experience of self-harm emerges as an important source of knowledge about the motives of this behavior and as the basis for understanding the dynamics of transitioning from non-suicidal self-injuries to suicide attempts.The objective: to describe and systematize methods and subjective reasons for self-harm on the basis of qualitative data yielded by a survey in online communities.Participants and method: the respondents were recruited from online communities focusing on psychological or non-psychological issues. The sample (n = 664, aged 17–35) included 563 (84.4%) women and 101 (15.2%) men. The study utilized a survey developed by the authors.Results: methods of inicting deliberate self-harm were grouped into three clusters: 1) local self-harm (n = 385) included non-suicidal self-injuries; 2) global self-harm (n = 18) united self-destructive practices aimed at the body on the whole (poisoning, deprivation, drug and alcohol abuse, etc.); 3) local and global self-harm cluster (n = 109) included respondents with both types of self-harm. Local self-harm cluster included more young participants; participants with both local and global self-harm were older and reported mental health problems more often. The analysis of reasons for self-harm yielded 9 topics: 1) emotional experiences; 2) emotion regulation; 3) pain; 4) self-alienation; 5) negative self-image; 6) interpersonal rejection; 7) suicidal tendencies; 8) self-harm urges; 9) age. The topics were closely related; the central topics were the ones related to emotional experiences and their regulation through physical pain.Conclusion: individual developmental pathways to self-harm can be associated with intolerance of intense mental pain, inability to endure one’s own negative emotions; negative self-image and high dissatisfaction with oneself; feeling alienated from the others, perceived disregard and rejection; and psychopathological symptoms.