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Published on: March 17, 2019
Nonsuicidal self-injury as an affect-regulation strategy and the moderating role of impulsivity
Rossella Di Pierro1, Irene Sarno1, Marcello Gallucci1
1Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza dell'Ateneo Nuovo 1, Milan, 20126, Italy.
Background:
Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) is used to cope with negative affect states. We investigated the association between impulsivity and this affect-regulation process.
Method:
Affect states associated with NSSI and impulsivity traits were evaluated in 30 Italian adolescent self-injurers (63.3% female, mean age = 16.63, SD = 0.56).
Results:
Nonsuicidal self-injury was associated with decreases in affective arousal, but impulsivity moderated other affective changes. High impulsivity was associated with increases in negative high-arousal affects after NSSI, whereas low impulsivity was associated with increases in positive affects after NSSI.
Conclusion:
Impulsivity traits influenced the success or failure of the NSSI affect-regulation process.
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