Physical Activity as a Contributing Factor to Engagement in Self-Harm Behaviors Among Youth

<p>This study explored the potential for physical activity to be an effective, healthy coping strategy alternative to self-harm behaviors. Regression analyses were performed to assess how physical activity level related to risk factors (i.e., emotional dysregulation, self-esteem, and depression) and self-harm behaviors. The relationship between selfharm and exercise motivations was also examined. Participants were recruited from two high schools (n = 95) and one university (n = 72) in the southeastern region of the United States. Analyses were run using the following measures from a survey packet: adapted Exercise Questionnaire (Helmerhorst, Brage, Warren, Besson, & Ekelund, 2012), Exercise Motivations Inventory—Second Edition (Markland & Ingledew, 1997), Inventory of Statements About Self-Injury (Klonsky & Olino, 2008), Reynolds Adolescent Depression Scale – 2nd Edition (Reynolds, 2002), Eating Disorders Inventory – 3 (Garner, 2004), and Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (Miller, Anton, & Townson, 2008). Of the 167 who participated, 41.3% endorsed at least one instance of nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI). Results indicated that NSSI frequency was significantly negatively associated with physical activity (<em>β</em> = -.22, <em>p</em> < 0.01). An interaction was found between physical activity and depression, such that physical activity moderated the relationship between depression and self-harm. The overall model explained 28.2% of the variance, <em>F</em>(3,145) = 10.02, <em>p</em> < .01. Affiliation and appearancebased exercise motivations significantly associated with decreased (<em>β</em> = -.244, <em>p</em> = .047) and increased (<em>β</em> = .320, <em>p</em> = .001) frequencies of self-harm, respectively. Overall, the findings suggest that physical activity may possess a protective nature against self-harm behaviors, especially in individuals with depressive symptoms.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Arts

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Department of Psychology

Year

2015

Author dc:creator

• Boone, Shannon Danielle

Contributors dc:contributor

• Amy Brausch (Director), Stephen O'Connor, Andrew Mienaltowski

• Physical Activity
• Nonsuicidal Self-injury
• Adolescents
• Young Adults
• Applied Behavior Analysis
• Clinical Psychology
• Personality and Social Contexts

Repository record dc:identifier

https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/theses/1445

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:digitalcommons.wku.edu:theses-2448