Reducing anticipated non‐suicidal self‐injury by improving body esteem in individuals with weight suppression: A proof of concept study

Abstract

OBJECTIVE\nResearch suggests that weight suppression (WS) is linked to non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) and that drive for thinness and depression may explain this association. We conducted a proof-of-concept study using a randomized control trial design to determine if improving body esteem and reducing depressive symptoms reduced NSSI in individuals with WS.\n\n\nMETHOD\nWeight suppressed participants (N =\u200960) who engaged in NSSI were recruited from the community and randomly assigned to an on-line intervention or control condition. The on-line intervention was adapted from a cognitive-dissonance intervention originally designed to reduce thin-ideal internalization in females to an intervention to reduce internalization of unhealthy body ideals in both genders. Participants weight/shape concerns, depressive symptoms, and NSSI were assessed at pre- and post-intervention, or at baseline and 2-week follow-up for controls.\n\n\nRESULTS\nCompared to controls, participants in the treatment condition reported greater decreases in likelihood of future NSSI [Cohen s d (95% CI)\u2009=\u2009-0.38 (-0.90-0.15)], weight/shape concerns [-1.19 (-1.75 to -0.62)], depressive symptoms [-1.00 (-1.56 to -0.45)], and significant improvements in appearance [1.27 (0.70-1.84)] and weight esteem [1.38 (0.80-1.96)].\n\n\nDISCUSSION\nFuture work could test this intervention in a larger trial with an active alternative treatment condition.