An Integrated Cognitive-Emotional Perspective of NSSI

Abstract This chapter covers an integrated cognitive-emotional perspective of nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI). Recent understandings of NSSI highlight the importance of emotions in the experience of NSSI. Transdiagnostic cognitive processes associated with the onset, maintenance, and recovery of NSSI range between rumination, distress tolerance, self-criticism, and perfectionism. Thus, therapists must consider from a range of therapeutic approaches how to best target emotional difficulties, transdiagnostic processes, and behavior-specific thoughts and beliefs. The chapter details how patterns of cognition can amplify emotional distress. It then mentions how future research could use ecological momentary assessment methodology to track emotion, cognitive processes, and behavior-specific thoughts and beliefs.