Citation

Muehlenkamp JJ, Kerr PL, Bradley AR, Adams Larsen M. J. Nerv. Ment. Dis. 2010; 198(4): 258-263.

Affiliation

Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Eau Claire, WI 57402, USA. muehlejj@uwec.edu

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1097/NMD.0b013e3181d612ab

PMID

20386254

Abstract

Research has identified complex relationships between abuse experiences, emotion regulation, and nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI). Data generally indicate that individuals with an abuse experience, or those with NSSI, have difficulties with emotion regulation. However, it is unknown whether there are specific patterns of emotion regulation difficulties across abuse subtypes that are uniquely associated with engaging in NSSI. Using a sample of 2238 college students (n = 419; 18.1% with NSSI histories), the present study examined differences in emotion regulation difficulties across specific abuse types between those with and without a history of NSSI. Results indicate significantly greater difficulties with emotion regulation among abused and self-injuring participants as well as significant differences on specific emotion regulation problems between self-injuring and noninjuring participants within the physical abuse and combination physical/sexual abuse subtypes. Possible explanations and implications of these findings are discussed.

Language: en