Larissa Grundmanis, a 2023 graduate of the PsyD Program in Clinical Psychology at Antioch University, New England, has written and published a dissertation titled, Examining the Relationship Between Non-Suicidal Self-Injury and Attachment Styles.
Non-suicidal self-injury, or NSSI, can be defined as the “intentional, self-inflicted destruction of body tissue performed without suicidal intent using methods that are not socially sanctioned.” There is a growing need to understand NSSI so that individuals can be helped to reduce the frequency of harming behaviors.
Grundamanis’ study sought to clarify discrepancies by examining the association between NSSI and adult attachment styles in a sample of 445 young adults, where 196 (44.0%) individuals stated that they have never engaged in NSSI, and 249 (56.0%) who have engaged in NSSI before. She found significant differences in the reasons why someone engaged in NSSI, and that attachment styles were associated with specific NSSI behaviors. This research helps show justifications for why someone engages in NSSI, that different levels of attachment traits exist, and that even those with secure attachment traits can still engage in NSSI behaviors.
Read Grundmanis’ dissertation, Examining the Relationship Between Non-Suicidal Self-Injury and Attachment Styles, here.
