Interoception, Pain Tolerance, and Self-Injurious Behaviors: A Multidimensional Assessment

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Neuroscience
• Clinical Psychology

Background:

• Interoceptive impairments are linked to self-injurious behaviors (SIB), potentially mediated by suicide capability.
• Previous research often uses self-report and unidimensional measures, limiting understanding.
• A multidimensional approach is needed to clarify the interoception-SIB relationship.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the relationship between interoceptive dysfunction, pain tolerance, and SIB using a multi-method approach.
• To replicate and extend prior findings on interoception and SIB.
• To investigate the factor structure of interoceptive dysfunction and pain tolerance.

Main Methods:

• 245 undergraduate students completed self-report measures, pain tolerance tasks, and a clinical interview.
• Participants reported lifetime suicidal ideation and SIB.
• A multidimensional and multi-method assessment of interoception and pain tolerance was employed.

Main Results:

• Attunement to bodily sensations correlated with decreased pain tolerance.
• Trust in one's body was associated with a decreased likelihood of lifetime suicide attempts.
• Other interoceptive facets and pain tolerance measures did not significantly correlate with SIB.

Conclusions:

• Findings contrast with previous research suggesting suicide capability mediates the interoception-SIB link.
• The study highlights the importance of multidimensional measurement in assessing interoception and pain tolerance.
• Careful operationalization of constructs is crucial for understanding interoceptive dysfunction and SIB.