Auto-aggression and psychological aspects of body perception in depression

Abstract

Here we present the study results on the relationship between self-harm and various aspects of body representation and sensations in depressed adolescents and young women. The study involved 85 women diagnosed with endogenous depression, aged 16–23. The following questionnaires were applied: SCL-90-R, Body Investment Scale, Physical Appearance Comparison Scale-Revised, Body Satisfaction Scale, Cambridge Depersonalization Scale. The question “Sometimes I purposely injure myself” was included as an indicator of self-harm. Self-harm was found to be associated with behavioral, emotional, and cognitive aspects of body perception. Negative body image or lack of satisfaction with one’s body was related to the following behavioral features: decreased level of "Protection", increased levels of comparing one’s body with others’, depersonalization, body dissociation, and somatization. In case of young depressed women, self-harm is associated with the perception of one’s body as bad and not in need to be protected. The severity of self-harm was found to directly correlate with somatopsychic depersonalization. According to the results, “alienated” attitude towards one’s body can make it a tool for solving psychological problems. This, in turn, represents a risk factor for self-harm. We suggest targeting body perception together with emotional regulation capacity within psychotherapeutic treatment.