Philip Stoner, an advanced doctoral student currently completing his predoctoral internship at the Federal Correctional Complex in Petersburg, VA, successfully defended his dissertation today. Philip’s study utilized structural equation modeling to test key components of Hooley and Franklin’s (2018) benefits and barriers model for non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI). Using a sample of college women, he found that adverse childhood experiences predicted NSSI and that this relationship was partially mediated by self-esteem, peer-bonding motivation, and shame. Philip followed this analysis with invariance testing to examine the moderating influence of both grandiose and vulnerable narcissism. His findings have many interesting implications that should be helpful for mental health professionals working with college students.

Congratulations to Philip on a very impressive defense!

Tags: narcissism, suicide