Functions of Non-Suicidal Self-Injury Among Adolescents with Eating Disorders
Abstract
Aims: Eating disorders (EDs) and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) frequently emerge during adolescence and often co-occur, particularly in bulimia nervosa and anorexia nervosa binge-eating/purging subtype. Although both behaviours are widely understood as maladaptive strategies for managing distress, the specific psychological functions of NSSI within ED populations remain insufficiently synthesised. This review aims to consolidate current evidence on the functions of NSSI among adolescents with EDs, drawing on theoretical frameworks such as Nock and Prinstein’s four-function model and emerging literature on affect regulation, self-punishment, interpersonal communication, and identity processes. Methods: A systematic search of PsycINFO, Embase, MEDLINE, and the Behavioural and Psychological Sciences Collection (2019–2024) was conducted using terms related to eating disorders, non-suicidal self-injury, and adolescence. Eligible studies included peer-reviewed empirical research reporting primary data on NSSI functions among adolescents with a diagnosed ED. Two reviewers independently screened studies, extracteddata, and resolved discrepancies through discussion. Extracted variables included study design, demographic characteristics, NSSI typology, and identified NSSI functions. A thematic synthesis approach was used to generate descriptive and analytical themes. Results: Eight studies met inclusion criteria, representing clinical, community, and longitudinal designs. Samples…
Read the paper
Related studies
- The neurocircuitry of addiction: an overview
- Gender Differences in Human Brain: A Review
- Stratified medicine for mental disorders
- The neurobiology of drug addiction: cross-species insights into the dysfunction and recovery of the prefrontal cortex
- Annual Research Review: DNA methylation as a mediator in the association between risk exposure and child and adolescent psychopathology
- Schizophrenia: The new etiological synthesis
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.