Kranzler, Amy. An ecological momentary assessment study of the emotion regulation functions of nonsuicidal self-injury among adolescents and young adults. Retrieved from https://doi.org/doi:10.7282/T3TT4T7D
DescriptionEmotion regulation functions have been consistently implicated in the reinforcement and maintenance of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI). However, few studies have used Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) to examine the way specific negative and positive emotions are experienced immediately before and after NSSI behaviors. The current study used a smartphone app called "Track It" to examine the emotional antecedents and consequences of NSSI in real time. Participants were 24 adolescents and young adults, ages 15-21, who used the Track It app to monitor their affective experiences and NSSI thoughts and behaviors for two weeks. Results indicated the presence of distinct emotional antecedents to NSSI thoughts and behaviors. In addition, immediately following NSSI behaviors there were significant reductions in high-arousal negative emotions and increases in low-arousal positive emotions, suggesting that the behavior may serve as an effective method of emotion regulation. Lastly, the magnitude of changes in positive emotion following NSSI behaviors predicted increased frequency of NSSI thoughts, suggesting that these behaviors may be positively reinforced. In contrast, greater changes in negative emotion following NSSI predicted fewer NSSI thoughts, suggesting that individuals who engage in NSSI for negative reinforcement may do so more impulsively. These findings extend current understandings of the emotional regulation functions of NSSI and have important implications for interventions targeting NSSI.