Does Anger Expression Mediate the Relationship Between Parental Rejection and Direct and Indirect Forms of Non-suicidal Self-injury?

Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is defined as the intentional destruction of one’s own body without an intent to die (e.g., self-cutting). On the other hand, indirect forms of self-injury refer to behaviors in which people harm themselves in an indirect way (e.g., substance use). Existing literature suggests that a negative parent–child relationship may increase vulnerability to NSSI and indirect forms of self-injury. However, little is known about the potential mediators that intervene in the aforementioned relationship. Therefore, the present work tests a path model to investigate whether the manner of anger expression—anger-in (redirect anger inwardly) or anger-out (express anger outwardly)—mediates the association between parental rejection and direct (specifically self-cutting) and indirect (specifically substance use) forms of self-injury in a cross-sectional sample of Italian adolescents. We assessed self-injury, parental acceptance/rejection, and the expression of anger using self-report questionnaires in 2464 high school students, aged 13–20 years (Mage = 15.93, SD = 1.49). Additionally, characteristics of NSSI were also assessed using semi-structured interviews. We found that parental rejection was significantly positively associated with both self-cutting and substance use. The aforementioned relationship was mediated through anger-in for self-cutting, and through anger-out for substance use. The current work demonstrated that anger expression might work as a bridge between invalidating caregiving environment (i.e., rejecting), in which an individual feels unloved and uncared for, and the occurrence of self-cutting and substance use. The salient role of anger management in the development of prevention and intervention programs for NSSI and indirect self-injury among adolescents is discussed

A remarkable new genus of Thripinae (Thysanoptera, Thripidae) without anteocellar setae from India

Nandithrips pouzolziae gen. et sp. nov. (Thripidae, Thripinae) is described from the flowers of Pouzolzia petandra subsp. wightii (Urticaceae) found in Nandi hills, Karnataka, India. This new genus is characterised by an apomorphy, ocellar setae pairs I and II are both absent, and also has a unique discontinuous pore plate distribution, with a single circular or oval pore plate medially on abdominal sternites II and V–VII of males. Partial mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (mtCOI) gene sequence of N. pouzolziae was sequenced and the annotated sequence was submitted to NCBI GenBank

The Sericothripinae genus Hydatothrips (Thysanoptera, Thripidae) in India with description of a new species

Rachana, R.R., Amarendra, B., Gracy, R. Gandhi (2022): The Sericothripinae genus Hydatothrips (Thysanoptera, Thripidae) in India with description of a new species. Zootaxa 5169 (2): 177-182, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5169.2.

Non-suicidal self-injury and other self-directed violent behaviors in India: A review of definitions and research

The interpersonal theory of suicide suggests that most forms of self-directed violent behaviors lie on a continuum, with each behavior successively increasing the capability of committing suicide. There is increasing evidence to suggest that the continuum may begin with Non-Suicidal Self-Injury (NSSI). This theory can be important in developing interventions for suicide prevention. However, in India, consistent usage of definitions of various forms of self-directed violent behaviors is lacking. In the present study, we reviewed definitions of various forms of self-directed violent behaviors that have been investigated in India. Further, we compared the usage of these definitions with the usage by WHO. Additionally, we reviewed NSSI research in India. Thirty-eight publications were identified by a comprehensive electronic search undertaken in Indian psychiatry, psychology, and mental health-related databases. Inconsistent definitions of eight self-directed violent behaviors were observed in Indian literature. Agreement on consistent definitions of various forms of self-directed behaviors is essential. Based on the findings of the current review, it can be suggested that culturally relevant large-scale research on NSSI in India is required to confirm the limited evidence that suggests high prevalence of NSSI in India.publisher: Elsevier articletitle: Non-suicidal self-injury and other self-directed violent behaviors in India: A review of definitions and research journaltitle: Asian Journal of Psychiatry articlelink: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ajp.2015.09.015 content_type: article copyright: © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.status: publishe

Non-suicidal self-injury and identity distress in Flemish adolescents: Exploring gender differences and mediational pathways

There is an increasing amount of research that examines non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) in relation to identity formation in adolescents. However, little or no research to date has explored associations between NSSI and identity distress in specific domains. To address this shortcoming, we assessed NSSI, identity distress, anxiety, and depression using self-report questionnaires in 568 high school students. Gender differences in NSSI were found with lifetime prevalence of NSSI being twice as high in females as compared to males. Gender differences in terms of identity domains were also significant; adolescent females showed higher levels of distress in the identity domains of career goals, friendship, and group loyalties as compared to males. Adolescents engaging in NSSI showed higher distress in domains of long-term goals, friendship, sexual orientation and behavior, values and beliefs. Results indicated that it was not distress in specific domains as such but the impairment due to daily impact of identity distress that explained additional variance in lifetime prevalence of NSSI above and beyond gender, age, depression, and anxiety. We also demonstrated that gender differences in lifetime prevalence of NSSI were mediated by differences in such identity impairment. Clinical implications of these findings are discussed.publisher: Elsevier articletitle: Non-suicidal self-injury and identity distress in Flemish adolescents: Exploring gender differences and mediational pathways journaltitle: Personality and Individual Differences articlelink: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2015.03.031 content_type: article copyright: Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.status: publishe

Identity and psychopathology: Bridging developmental and clinical research

Research has demonstrated the important impact of identity on psychosocial functioning in both community and clinical populations. The present paper aims to identify different mechanisms through which identity may be related to psychopathology. Emphasis is placed on neo-Eriksonian identity models targeting identity mechanisms both at the structural and process levels. With respect to psychopathology, the present paper focuses mainly on disturbed eating behaviors and non-suicidal self-injury, with both behaviors sharing a focus on the body. Emerging research lines are identified and recent research is discussed as a sample case of how developmental theorizing on identity can yield insights in the emergence and development of psychopathological behaviors. In integrating these research lines, the present article discusses emerging themes originating from the field and provides important avenues for future research and intervention efforts.status: Published onlin

Non-suicidal self-injury in female adolescents and psychiatric patients: A replication and extension of the role of identity formation

© 2015 Elsevier Ltd. Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) refers to the direct destruction of one's body tissue without suicidal intent and constitutes an important health issue in community adolescents and especially in patients with an eating disorder (ED) or borderline personality disorder (BPD). Given that identity formation constitutes a core developmental task during adolescence and is strongly affected in ED and BPD, the present study examined the incremental predictive power of identity formation towards NSSI above and beyond well-established predictors such as demographic variables, anxiety, depression, Big Five personality traits, perfectionism, and effortful control. A total of 348 female adolescents and 131 psychiatric patients completed self-report questionnaires. Although correlational analyses demonstrated that both identity confusion and synthesis were significantly (positively and negatively, respectively) related to NSSI, logistic regression analyses indicated that identity confusion in adolescents (positively) and identity synthesis in patients (negatively) predicted NSSI. Further, important associations between identity and different functions underlying NSSI were uncovered. Hence, therapists are encouraged to focus on issues of identity formation when developing prevention and intervention efforts.publisher: Elsevier articletitle: Non-suicidal self-injury in female adolescents and psychiatric patients: A replication and extension of the role of identity formation journaltitle: Personality and Individual Differences articlelink: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2014.12.057 content_type: article copyright: Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.status: publishe