AUTOAVERSÃO E IMPULSIVIDADE:IMPLICAÇÕES PARA OS COMPORTAMENTOS AUTOLESIVOS NÃO-SUICIDÁRIOS (NSSI) NA ADULTEZ JOVEM

Abstract

Os comportamentos autolesivos não-suicidários (NSSI) são particularmente prevalentes em adolescentes e jovens adultos, associando-se a diversas perturbações psicológicas e elevado sofrimento emocional. A literatura parece sugerir que os NSSI estão associados a traços de impulsividade e que os indivíduos que recorrem a este tipo de comportamentos têm muitas vezes uma visão de si próprio marcada por níveis elevados de autoaversão. Apesar destes construtos constituírem fatores de risco já conhecidos, a forma como se relacionam carece ainda de investigação, sendo que o seu estudo permitirá uma melhor compreensão do fenómeno, crucial para a sua avaliação e tratamento eficaz. O presente estudo transversal examinou o papel moderador da autoaversão na relação entre a impulsividade e os NSSI. A amostra compreendeu 201 jovens adultos que frequentavam o ensino superior. A recolha de dados envolveu o preenchimento de um protocolo de investigação composto por diferentes escalas de autorresposta que mediam os construtos referidos. Os resultados demonstraram que as variáveis se associavam de forma significativa e no sentido esperado. Controlando o efeito da sintomatologia depressiva e do género, encontrou-se um efeito de moderação para níveis médios e elevados de autoaversão na relação entre a impulsividade e os NSSI. Isto é, uma relação com o eu experienciada como aversiva e repugnante amplifica o impacto da impulsividade na manifestação de NSSI. Intervenções terapêuticas que se foquem na emoção de autoaversão em interligação com a impulsividade parecem pertinente para a redução patoplástica destes comportamentos.

Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) is particularly prevalent in adolescents and young adults, being associated with multiple psychological disorders and marked emotional distress. Literature seems to suggest that NSSI is connected to impulsivity traits and that individuals that engage in this kind of behaviours often have a view of themselves characterized by high levels of self-disgust. Although these constructs constitute risk factors already known, the way they relate still lacks research, and its study will allow a better understanding of this phenomenon, crucial for its effective evaluation and treatment. This cross-sectional study examined the moderating role of self-disgust on the relation between impulsivity and NSSI. The sample comprised 201 young adults attending college. Data collection comprised the completion of a research protocol composed of several self-report measures that mediate the referred constructs. Results showed that the variables were significantly associated in the expected way. By controlling the effect of depressive symptoms and gender, an effect of moderation for medium and high levels of self-disgust in the relation between impulsivity and NSSI was found. That is, a relation with the self, experienced as aversive and repugnant, amplifies the impact of impulsivity on the manifestation of NSSI. Therapeutic intervention that focus on self-disgust interlinked with impulsivity seems relevant for the pathoplastic reduction of these behaviours.---Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) is particularly prevalent in adolescents and young adults, being associated with multiple psychological disorders and marked emotional distress. Literature seems to suggest that NSSI is connected to impulsivity traits and that individuals that engage in this kind of behaviours often have a view of themselves characterized by high levels of self-disgust. Although these constructs constitute risk factors already known, the way they relate still lacks research, and its study will allow a better understanding of this phenomenon, crucial for its effective evaluation and treatment. This cross-sectional study examined the moderating role of self-disgust on the relation between impulsivity and NSSI. The sample comprised 201 young adults attending college. Data collection comprised the completion of a research protocol composed of several self-report measures that mediate the referred constructs. Results showed that the variables were significantly associated in the expected way. By controlling the effect of depressive symptoms and gender, an effect of moderation for medium and high levels of self-disgust in the relation between impulsivity and NSSI was found. That is, a relation with the self, experienced as aversive and repugnant, amplifies the impact of impulsivity on the manifestation of NSSI. Therapeutic intervention that focus on self-disgust interlinked with impulsivity seems relevant for the pathoplastic reduction of these behaviours.