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Relations Between Past-Week Physical Activity and Recent Nonsuicidal Self-Injury in Treatment-Seeking Psychiatric
Stephanie M Jarvi1,2, Bridget A Hearon3,2, Kristen L Batejan2
1Suffolk University.
Objective:
This research study examines the relationship between past-week physical activity and recent (i.e., within the past 30 days) nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) in a sample of treatment-seeking adults. METHOD: Participants included 353 (49.29% female; mean age = 35.16 years) adults attending a partial hospitalization program for acute psychiatric issues. Data were extracted from the program's admission battery of computer-based self-report measures completed by each participant on the first treatment day.
Results:
Participants with a recent history of NSSI (i.e., within the past 30 days) engaged in significantly less past-week physical activity than those without a history of NSSI. Group differences remained significant while controlling for anxiety, but not depression.
Conclusion:
Results suggest that, on average, individuals who have never engaged in NSSI exercise more in the week prior to entering the partial hospital program than those who have a recent history of NSSI. Regular physical activity may be an interesting area of study to explore as a promising adjunctive intervention for NSSI (e.g., vigorous exercise as a way to tolerate distress and manage urges to self-injure).
