Between Urges and Actions: Unpacking Affective Dynamics in Nonsuicidal Self-Injury

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Clinical Psychology
• Affective Science

Background:

• Affective dynamics (variability, inertia, intensity) predict nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI).
• Limited understanding of affective dynamics concerning NSSI urges not acted upon.
• Ecological momentary assessment (EMA) is suitable for real-time study of NSSI urges.

Purpose of the Study:

• Examine affective dynamics in relation to EMA-reported NSSI urges.
• Compare affective dynamics between individuals with only NSSI urges and those with both urges and behaviors.

Main Methods:

• Recruited 93 young adults (18-34) with past-month NSSI urges or behaviors.
• Utilized ecological momentary assessment (EMA) for real-time data collection.
• Employed dynamic structural equation modeling (DSEM) for between-person affective dynamics analysis.

Main Results:

• Greater NSSI urges correlated with higher negative affect variability and intensity.
• Greater NSSI urges correlated with lower positive affect intensity.
• Individuals with NSSI behaviors exhibited significantly higher negative affect variability and intensity compared to those with urges only.

Conclusions:

• Affective dynamics, particularly negative affect variability and intensity, are linked to NSSI urges.
• Elevated negative affect variability and intensity differentiate individuals with NSSI behaviors from those with urges alone.
• Findings have implications for early risk identification and treatment of NSSI urges.