The Scars of the Inner Critic: Perfectionism and Nonsuicidal Self-Injury in Eating Disorders

Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) is quite common in eating disorder (ED) patients and we wondered whether this combined self-harming behaviour is related to perfectionism, a feature often found in ED patients. In addition, we examined associations between perfectionism and functions underlying NSSI and the possible mediating role of intrapersonal perfectionism in the association between perceived parental criticism and NSSI. In a sample of 95 ED patients, 38.9% reported at least one type of NSSI, and this subgroup reported significantly higher levels of parental criticism and evaluative concerns perfectionism (ECP) compared with ED patients without NSSI. ECP was positively related to the self-punishment and cry-for-help functions of NSSI. Finally, ECP was found to mediate the association between parental criticism and NSSI symptoms. Directions for future research and practical implications are discussed. Copyright (c) 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.