The effects of formal and interpersonal mindfulness practice on interpersonal processes among emerging adults who engage in non-suicidal self-injury

Abstract

Emerging adults who engage in non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI; deliberate destruction of one’s own body tissue, without suicidal intent) report unique interpersonal difficulties. A significant portion report engaging in NSSI for interpersonal reasons (e.g., communicating distress). Relatedly, individuals who engage in NSSI report heightened sensitivity to social stressors, rejection sensitivity, and interpersonal sensitivity, and lower social support and connectedness. Therefore, NSSI may function as a way to cope with challenging interpersonal situations and circumstances. Albeit there are limited interventions developed to target the interpersonal processes underlying NSSI engagement. Mindfulness (i.e., process of paying attention to the present moment, with nonjudgmental acceptance) has been a component of treatment utilized to address NSSI behaviours, and research has substantiated its use for those who engage in NSSI. Although, research suggests that mindfulness has an interpersonal dimension. For instance, practicing mindfulness has been found to be a protective factor for interpersonal stressors and promote relationship satisfaction. Mindfulness has also been conceptualized as a process occurring outside of the meditative space, and within social interactions. In fact, mindfulness-based interventions that include interpersonal mindfulness practices (e.g., practicing mindfulness during social interactions) have been effective at improving intrapersonal and interpersonal domains of functioning among emerging adults. However, this has not been investigated among individuals who engage in NSSI; therefore, whether mindfulness would have benefits for the interpersonal functioning of individuals who engage in NSSI remains unclear. Examining the utility of the interpersonal dimension of mindfulness for those who engage in NSSI has the potential to inform the development of mindfulness-based treatments to target the interpersonal processes related to NSSI engagement. Thus, the main objective of this dissertation was to improve our understanding of the interpersonal role of mindfulness practice for emerging adults who engage in NSSI. Study 1 of this dissertation examined the short-term effectiveness of a mindfulness induction relative to an active control task for coping with an interpersonal stressor (i.e., social exclusion) in terms of state stress and affect, in both emerging adults with and without a past-year history of NSSI (n = 172, Mage = 22.54). Three-way ANCOVAs and t-tests revealed that effectiveness did not differ as a function of NSSI history or condition (i.e., mindfulness induction/control task), with decreases in state stress and affect reported, following the social exclusion task. Then, Study 2 investigated the longer-term effectiveness and acceptability of a self-directed interpersonal mindfulness program (IMP) relative to an inactive control at improving domains of intrapersonal and interpersonal functioning, in both emerging adults with and without a past-year history of NSSI (n = 127, Mage = 21.89). Three-way ANCOVAs revealed that the IMP demonstrated acceptability and effectiveness relative to the inactive control at improving emotion regulation, stress, and facets of interpersonal mindfulness over time, and that certain improvements were uniquely reported by those with a history of NSSI. Overall, findings from this dissertation demonstrate the protective effects of brief mindfulness and focused attention practices on social stress, and highlight the benefits of interpersonal mindfulness practice for those who engage in NSSI. Each study entails an original contribution to our understanding of mindfulness programming for emerging adults who engage in NSSI.