Citation

Vansteelandt K, Claes L, Muehlenkamp J, De Cuyper K, Lemmens J, Probst M, Vanderlinden J, Pieters G. Eur. Eat. Disord. Rev. 2013; 21(2): 143-147.

Affiliation

University Psychiatric Center KU Leuven-Campus Kortenberg, Belgium. Kristof.Vansteelandt@uc-kortenberg.be.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1002/erv.2220

PMID

23239050

Abstract

We examined whether affective variability can predict non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) in eating disorders. Affect was represented by valence (positive versus negative) and activation (high versus low). Twenty-one patients with anorexia nervosa-restricting type, 18 patients with anorexia nervosa-binge-purging type and 20 patients with bulimia nervosa reported their momentary affect at nine random times a day during a one week period using a hand-held computer. Affective variability was calculated as the within-person standard deviation of valence and activation over time. Results indicate that patients displaying greater variability in activation and using selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors have a higher probability to engage in lifetime NSSI after adjustment for depression and borderline personality disorder. Neither variability of valence nor mean level of valence and activation had any predictive association with engaging in NSSI. It is suggested that the treatment of NSSI should focus on affect stabilization rather than reducing negative affect. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.

Language: en