Impulsivity and nonsuicidal self-injury: Examining the role of affect manipulation

Scope and Method of Study: Undergraduates with (N = 56) and without (N = 65) a history of nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) participated in a two-part laboratory-based study that investigated the role of affect manipulation in impulsivity and NSSI. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either a negative or a neutral mood induction. Participants completed self-report measures of personality, NSSI, and negative affect. Behavioral measures of impulsivity were administered during part one (prior to a mood induction task) and again during part two (following a mood induction task) to determine whether or not one's affect had an effect on behavioral impulsivity task performance. Hypotheses were that 1) individuals with an NSSI history who underwent a negative mood induction would demonstrate impulsivity on behavioral measures, 2) five-factor model (FFM) and UPPS-P impulsivity differences between individuals with and without an NSSI history would replicate what was found in previous research, 3) affect regulation would be the most commonly reported NSSI function, and 4) participants' self-reported impulsivity and performance on behavioral measures of impulsivity under conditions of negative affect would be significantly related for individuals with an NSSI history.;Findings and Conclusions: Individuals with an NSSI history did not display impulsivity on behavioral measures, even under conditions of negative affect. Most expected FFM and UPPS-P differences were found between self-injurers and non-self-injurers. Affect regulation was the most frequently endorsed function of NSSI. There was no significant correlation between self-reported and behavioral impulsivity scores for the individuals with a history of NSSI who underwent the negative mood induction. Future research should seek to replicate and expand on the present study to better understand impulsivity and nonsuicidal self-injury.