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. 2010 Nov;119(4):850-862.
doi: 10.1037/a0020896.

The functions of nonsuicidal self-injury: support for cognitive-affective regulation and opponent processes from a novel psychophysiological paradigm

Joseph C Franklin  1 , Elenda T Hessel  1 , Rachel V Aaron  1 , Michael S Arthur  1 , Nicole Heilbron  1 , Mitchell J Prinstein  1
Affiliations

The functions of nonsuicidal self-injury: support for cognitive-affective regulation and opponent processes from a novel psychophysiological paradigm

Joseph C Franklin et al. J Abnorm Psychol. 2010 Nov.

Abstract

Although research on the reasons for engaging in nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) has increased dramatically in the last few years, there are still many aspects of this pernicious behavior that are not well understood. The purpose of this study was to address these gaps in the literature, with a particular focus on investigating whether NSSI (a) regulates affective valence in addition to affective arousal and (b) serves a cognitive regulation function in addition to an affect regulation function. To elucidate these issues, the present study utilized a sample of 112 participants (33 controls, 39 no pain controls, 16 NSSI individuals, and 24 controls matching the affect dysregulation levels of the NSSI group), employed psychophysiological measures of affective valence (startle-alone reactivity) and quality of information processing (prepulse inhibition), and used experimental methods involving an NSSI-proxy to model the NSSI process. Results largely were consistent with predictions, supporting the hypotheses that NSSI serves to regulate cognitive processing and affective valence. On this latter point, however, the control groups also showed a decrease in negative affective valence after the NSSI-proxy. This unexpected finding is consistent with the hypothesis that opponent processes may contribute to the development of self-injurious behaviors (Joiner, 2005). Overall, the present study represents an important extension of previous laboratory NSSI studies and provides a fertile foundation for future studies aimed at understanding why people engage in NSSI.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Diagram of the experimental design. There were intervals of 3 min between each block of stimuli (intervals were filled with rest or instructions/speech or the CPT). CPT = cold pressor test.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Pre–post–post structural equation modeling diagram. SUDS = subjective units of distress; PPI = prepulse inhibition.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Mean subjective units of distress (SUDS) across blocks by group. AD = matched affect dysregulation group; NSSI = nonsuicidal self-injury group; NP = no pain group.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Mean startle-alone reactivity across blocks by group. AD = matched affect dysregulation group; NSSI = nonsuicidal self-injury group; NP = no pain group.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Mean prepulse inhibition (PPI) across blocks by group. AD = matched affect dysregulation group; NSSI = nonsuicidal self-injury group; NP = no pain group.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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