Citation

Wu R, Huang J, Ying J, Gao Q, Guo J, You J. Pers. Individ. Dif. 2021; 175: e110718.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2021, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.paid.2021.110718

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Previous research on Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory has tentatively established the associations between behavioral inhibition/activation systems (BIS/BAS) and nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI), but the effects of BAS subcomponents (i.e. BAS-Fun Seeking, BAS-Reward Responsiveness, and BAS-Drive) on NSSI and the potential mediation mechanisms of these associations remain unclear. The present study tested a chain mediating model to examine the effects of BIS and BAS subcomponents on NSSI, as well as the mediating roles of difficulty in emotion regulation (DER) and depression. A total of 1724 Chinese adolescents (39.8% males; mean age = 15.21 years, SD = 1.57) completed self-report measures of BIS/BAS, DER, depression, and NSSI. After controlling for gender, BIS, BAS-Fun Seeking and BAS-Drive demonstrated positive associations and BAS-Reward Responsiveness demonstrated a negative association with NSSI. The results also showed a positive effect of DER on depression. DER and depression, independently and in sequence, mediated the relations between BIS/BAS-Fun Seeking/BAS-Reward Responsiveness and NSSI to different degrees. These findings contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the risk factors for self-injury. Clinical implications of these findings are discussed.

Language: en

Keywords

Adolescence; Behavior activation system; Behavior inhibition system; Depression; Difficulty in emotion regulation; Nonsuicidal self-injury