A MIXED METHODS INVESTIGATION OF ATTENTION AND MINDFULNESS AMONG YOUNG ADULTS WITH A HISTORY OF NONSUICIDAL SELF-INJURY

Abstract

Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) refers to the deliberate and self-inflicted destruction of body tissue without suicidal intent, and is especially prevalent among young adults. NSSI serves a myriad of functions and is maintained by complex transdiagnostic processes. Attentional bias (AB)—the preferential allocation of attentional resources to environmental stimuli related to maladaptive behaviors—is one such transdiagnostic process experienced by self-injuring young adults. Effectively treating NSSI among young adults not only requires an explanation of the complex processes that inform the behavior, but also an understanding of the treatment mechanisms that create change. The purpose of this dissertation was to evaluate the impact of one transtherapeutic mechanism on one transdiagnostic process to further that understanding of addressing NSSI—specifically, the impact of a brief mindfulness induction on NSSI AB. This was done through a baseline analysis of NSSI AB among self-injuring young adults as evaluated by an experimental task, a repeated measures analysis of the impact of a brief mindfulness induction on NSSI AB, and a qualitative description of participants’ experiences with and perceptions of completing the experimental task and mindfulness induction.