Citation

Fitzpatrick S, Zeifman R, Krantz L, McMain S, Kuo JR. Arch. Suicide Res. 2019; ePub(ePub): 1-22.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, International Academy of Suicide Research, Publisher Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/13811118.2019.1586605

PMID

30856367

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine which specific emotion processes influence self-inflicted injury: basal respiratory sinus arrhythmia, baseline negative emotional intensity, emotional reactivity, or emotion regulation deficits.

METHOD: Self-injuring individuals with borderline personality disorder (N = 22) reported their lifetime self-injury frequency. Basal respiratory sinus arrhythmia and baseline skin conductance responses measurements were collected. Participants then either reacted as they usually would (i.e., emotional reactivity), or utilized mindfulness- or distraction-based strategies (i.e., emotion regulation), in response to negative images while self-reported negative emotion and skin conductance were monitored.

RESULTS: Higher basal respiratory sinus arrhythmia and baseline emotional intensity predicted higher lifetime self-injury frequency.

CONCLUSION: Chronic, resting emotion processes may be more important targets for reducing self-injury compared to labile, acute emotion processes.

Language: en

Keywords

borderline personality disorder; emotion regulation; respiratory sinus arrhythmia; self-injury; suicide