Negative Mood and Interference Control in Non-Suicidal Self-Injury

People who engage in nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) often report high levels of impulsivity. However, results from behavioral tasks measuring impulsivity have been mixed: those with a history of NSSI generally perform comparably to healthy controls. Recent research suggests, however, that people who self-injure have specific deficits in response inhibition to negative emotional stimuli. Here, we extend this work by testing whether negative mood impairs interference control in NSSI. 33 participants reporting a history of NSSI (approximately half in the past year) and 31 age- and gender-matched healthy controls completed the Multi-Source Interference Task before and after a written negative mood induction designed to increase feelings of worthlessness, guilt, and shame.

Source: Comprehensive Psychiatry - November 2, 2016 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Kenneth J.D. Allen, Jill M. Hooley Source Type: research