Integrated theoretical model of the development and maintenance of nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI)

An integrated theoretical model of nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI). This model proposes that NSSI is maintained because it is an effective means of immediately regulating aversive affective experiences and social situations. The risk of NSSI is increased by the presence of distal factors (eg, childhood maltreatment) that can lead to intrapersonal and interpersonal vulnerabilities (eg, poor communication skills) to respond to stressful life events in an ineffective manner (eg, inability to effectively communicate the need for help). Although these risk factors could predispose a person to a number of forms of psychopathology, the likelihood of engaging in NSSI is increased by an additional set of NSSI-specific vulnerability factors (eg, social learning).