Behavioral inhibition/approach systems and adolescent nonsuicidal self-injury: The chain mediating effects of difficulty in emotion regulation and depression. (June 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wu, Ruyun; Huang, Jiyi; Ying, Jiefeng; Gao, Qianqian; Guo, Jiaqi; You, Jianing
• Is Part Of: Personality and individual differences. Volume 175(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-06
• Subjects: Nonsuicidal self-injury -- Behavior inhibition system -- Behavior activation system -- Difficulty in emotion regulation -- Depression -- Adolescence; Personality -- Periodicals; Individuality -- Periodicals; Individuality -- Periodicals; Personality Development -- Periodicals; Personnalité -- Périodiques; Individualité -- Périodiques; 155.205
• DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2021.110718
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0191-8869

Abstract

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. Highlights: Behavior inhibition system showed a positive and indirect association with nonsuicidal self-injury. Fun seeking and drive showed positive associations with nonsuicidal self-injury. Reward responsiveness showed a negative association with nonsuicidal self-injury. Difficulty in emotion regulation and depression acted as mediators between behavioral inhibition/activation system and NSSI.