Risk and protective effects of need for approval on self-injurious thoughts and behaviors in girls

Self-injurious thoughts and behaviors (SITBs) are a major public health concern among teenage girls. Because peer group belonging is of utmost importance during adolescence, self-worth that is contingent on peer approval (need for approval; NFA) may contribute to adolescent mental health, yet little research investigates its impact on risk for SITBs. NFA includes two dimensions: NFAavoid (decreases in self-worth following peer disapproval) and NFAapproach (increases in self-worth following peer approval). Whereas NFAavoid encourages a focus on negative peer feedback and consequent feelings of shame or rejection, potentially increasing risk for SITBs, NFAapproach encourages a focus on positive peer feedback and bolsters self-worth, potentially protecting against SITBs. Moreover, these risk-augmenting and protective effects may be especially potent in the context of high rumination. Feelings of distress tied to NFAavoid may be exacerbated when girls perseverate on such feelings through rumination (Hypothesis 1), whereas feelings of belonging tied to NFAapproach may be particularly beneficial to girls who ruminate (Hypothesis 2). This study examined these novel hypotheses through concurrent and longitudinal associations within two separate samples of adolescent girls (Study 1 N = 89, Study 2 N = 229). Hierarchical linear and logistic regressions revealed that NFAavoid was generally associated with higher risk of SITBs, whereas NFAapproach generally had a protective effect against SITBs. Furthermore, the strength of these associations depended on the extent to which girls engaged in brooding rumination. These results suggest that NFAavoid may exacerbate risk for SITBs, particularly when girls have a tendency to engage in negative perseverative thinking when they are upset. In contrast, NFAapproach may protect girls against SITBs. Consistent with Hypothesis 2, NFAapproach was protective against suicide ideation among girls who ruminate. However, NFAapproach was associated with less baseline NSSI at low levels of rumination, suggesting that girls whose self-worth is bolstered by peer approval and who ruminate less may be protected against NSSI, whereas girls who were high in rumination were at greater risk for NSSI regardless of their NFAapproach. Together, these results suggest that encouraging girls to develop diverse foundations for their sense of self-worth beyond peer judgements may help boost self-esteem and protect against SITBs.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Psychology

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2023

Author dc:creator

• Clapham, Rebekah B

Contributors dc:contributor

• Rudolph, Karen D

• Need For Approval
• Self-injurious Thoughts And Behaviors
• Adolescence

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2023 Rebekah Clapham

Language dc:language

en, eng

Handle dc:identifier

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/120108

OAI record oai:identifier

https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/oai-pmh?verb=GetRecord&metadataPrefix=etdms&identifier=oai%3Awww.ideals.illinois.edu%3A2142%2F120108