Initial Development of the Reasons for Reckless and Destructive Behaviours Inventory: Expanding the Role of Dissociation in Self-Destructive Behaviours

Author

Matthew F D Brown, The University of Western OntarioFollow

Degree

Master of Science

Program

Psychology

Supervisor

Dr. Richard Neufeld

Abstract

Recent research has conceptualized self-destructive behaviours (SDB; e.g., self-injury) as being performed to serve specific functions; however, few measures exist that examine common functions across a range of SDB types. In addition, although dissociative experiences (e.g., depersonalization) are often endorsed by individuals who engage in SDB, measurement of these experiences as reasons for SDB are rarely assessed. In this thesis, we used a trauma-informed approach to evaluate motivations for SDB by initially developing the Reasons for Reckless and Destructive Behaviours Inventory (RRDI). Basic psychometric statistics of reliability, mean item-endorsement, convergent validity, and construct validity were performed across the scales of the RRDI. In addition, for the RRDI self-injury subsection, we evaluated the factor structure, sex invariance, and examined different profiles of individuals in terms of motivations for self-injury. This study has implications for research pertaining to Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and motivational models of self-injury.

Recommended Citation

Brown, Matthew F D, "Initial Development of the Reasons for Reckless and Destructive Behaviours Inventory: Expanding the Role of Dissociation in Self-Destructive Behaviours" (2017). Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository. 4658.
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/etd/4658