Clarifying relations of emotion regulation, emotional avoidance and anxiety symptoms in a community-based treatment-seeking sample.

OBJECTIVES: Anxiety is a global problem that is readily treatable with psychosocial interventions, though many individuals do not benefit following participation in extant treatment protocols. Accordingly, clarification of process-related variables that may be leveraged to enhance outcomes appears warranted. Emotion regulation (ER) is a robust correlate of anxiety symptoms and is often targeted in behavioural treatments applied to anxiety-related problems. Yet, some evidence suggests ER difficulties may be a proxy variable for emotional avoidance (EA). Clarifying the relative influence of ER and EA on anxiety symptom severity may improve specificity in targeting behavioural processes within psychosocial treatments designed to alleviate anxiety-related suffering. Accordingly, we examined relations of ER and EA to anxiety symptom severity after accounting for anxiety sensitivity and anxiolytic medication use in a community-based treatment-seeking sample. DESIGN: A four-step hierarchical linear regression analysis of cross-sectional data provided by a community-based treatment-seeking sample. METHODS: Totally, 120 participants (Mage = 39.18; Female = 58.3%) completed a questionnaire packet upon intake to an anxiety disorders clinic. RESULTS: EA and ER were strongly correlated, and each accounted for significant variance over and above model covariates. EA was a dominant risk factor for anxiety symptom severity, as ER was not a significant predictor (p = .073) following the inclusion of EA in the model (p = .006). CONCLUSIONS: EA appears to be a dominant risk factor, and ER a proxy risk factor, for anxiety symptom severity. EA may be an avenue for greater treatment specificity for those with anxiety symptoms.

A Preliminary Investigation of Prenatal Anxiety Sensitivity and Postpartum Distress.

INTRODUCTION: Distress during pregnancy and postpartum is common and contributes to poor infant and maternal outcomes, such as developmental delays and mental health disorders, respectively. Anxiety sensitivity, or fear of the symptoms of anxiety (eg, palpitations, confusion), is a risk factor known to increase distress across psychological and health-related conditions. Given the physiologic and emotional changes that occur during the perinatal period, anxiety sensitivity may be a salient risk factor for maternal distress. In this pilot study, we aimed to understand the unique role of prenatal anxiety sensitivity in postpartum psychological and parenting distress. METHODS: Twenty-eight pregnant women (mean age, 30.86 years) were recruited from the community in a Southeastern metropolitan area of the United States. Participants completed self-report measures during their third trimester of pregnancy and again within 10 weeks postpartum. The Depression Anxiety and Stress Scales-21 and the Parenting Distress subscale of the Parenting Stress Index-4-Short Form were the primary postpartum outcome measures. RESULTS: Prenatal anxiety sensitivity was elevated in this sample relative to convenience samples. Prenatal anxiety sensitivity uniquely contributed to postpartum psychological (b, 1.01; P < .001) and parenting distress (b, 0.62; P = .008), after accounting for age, gravidity, and gestation. DISCUSSION: Albeit preliminary, results suggest prenatal anxiety sensitivity may be an important and malleable risk factor associated with several mental health concerns common in the perinatal period. Anxiety sensitivity may be targeted with brief interventions to prevent or reduce postpartum distress. Reducing prenatal anxiety sensitivity has the potential prevent the onset or worsening of psychological disorders among women and, in turn, may improve infant and child outcomes. Future studies should replicate these findings in a larger sample.

Clarifying the relation between mother and adolescent borderline personality disorder symptoms: The roles of maternal and adolescent emotion regulation and maladaptive maternal emotion socialization.

Despite evidence for the intergenerational transmission of borderline personality disorder (BPD) pathology from mothers to offspring, the factors underlying the relation between mother and child BPD symptoms remain unclear and little is known about the pathways through which maternal BPD symptoms may relate to BPD symptoms in their offspring. One set of factors that warrants consideration in this regard is mother and child emotion regulation (ER) difficulties. In particular, theory and research suggest an indirect relation between mother and child BPD symptoms through maternal ER difficulties (and related maladaptive emotion socialization strategies) and, subsequently, child ER difficulties. Thus, this study used structural equation modeling to examine a model wherein maternal BPD symptoms relate to offspring BPD symptoms in adolescence through maternal ER difficulties (and maladaptive maternal emotion socialization strategies) and, subsequently, adolescent ER difficulties. A nationwide community sample of 200 mother-adolescent dyads completed an online study. Results provided support for the proposed model, revealing both a direct relation between maternal and adolescent BPD symptoms and two indirect relations through (a) maternal and adolescent ER difficulties and (b) maternal ER difficulties, maternal maladaptive emotion socialization strategies, and adolescent ER difficulties. Results highlight the relevance of both mother and adolescent ER difficulties in the relation between mother and offspring BPD pathology, as well as the potential clinical utility of targeting mother and child ER in interventions aimed at preventing the intergenerational transmission of BPD pathology. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Examining the roles of disability-related body esteem and perceived burdensomeness in suicidal ideation among adults with vision- and mobility-related disabilities.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE: People with disabilities (PWD) generally exhibit an increased risk of suicidal ideation (SI) and behaviors. Underlying cognitive states, namely perceived burdensomeness, have been identified as a contributor to the increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in PWD. However, the role of body esteem in the development of SI in this population remains unexamined, despite its salience in other populations. In this study, we examined whether the interaction of perceived burdensomeness and body esteem contributed to the perceived likelihood of future SI among PWD, and whether this relationship was further moderated by disability type. METHOD: Participants included 119 adults with self-reported vision- and mobility-related disabilities who participated in a larger study focused on disability and suicide involving interviews and self-report measures. We examined the interaction between perceived burdensomeness and disability-related body esteem on self-reported likelihood of future SI and whether this interaction was further moderated by disability type (i.e., vision- or mobility-related disability). RESULTS: Greater perceived burdensomeness was associated with a greater perceived likelihood of future SI only for participants with vision impairments and at low levels of body esteem. CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS: The combination of experiences of perceived burdensomeness and low body esteem may be particularly relevant to SI among people with vision-related versus mobility-related disabilities. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Examining the Presence, Frequency, and Associated Characteristics of Nonsuicidal Self-Injury by Proxy: Initial Validation of the Nonsuicidal Self-Injury by Proxy Questionnaire (NSSIBPQ).

Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) by proxy is the intentional destruction of one's own body tissue through the elicitation of another being's actions. Despite its clinical relevance, research on NSSI by proxy is limited and there are no available measures of this behavior. This research aimed to characterize NSSI by proxy among young adults and provide preliminary data on the validity of a new self-report measure, the NSSI by Proxy Questionnaire (NSSIBPQ). Two nationwide community samples of young adults (one general community sample and one with a history of traditional NSSI and suicidality) completed online studies. NSSI by proxy was reported by 18% of the general community sample and 45% of the self-injuring sample. Findings support the clinical relevance of NSSI by proxy and its potential to meet criteria for an NSSI disorder diagnosis. Results also provide preliminary support for the internal consistency and convergent, discriminant, and concurrent validity of the NSSIBPQ.

Effect of Internet-Delivered Emotion Regulation Individual Therapy for Adolescents With Nonsuicidal Self-Injury Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Nonsuicidal self-injury is prevalent in adolescence and associated with adverse clinical outcomes. Effective interventions that are brief, transportable, and scalable are lacking. Objective: To test the hypotheses that an internet-delivered emotion regulation individual therapy for adolescents delivered adjunctive to treatment as usual is superior to treatment as usual only in reducing nonsuicidal self-injury and that improvements in emotion regulation mediate these treatment effects. Design, Setting, and Participants: This 3-site, single-masked, randomized superiority trial enrolled participants from November 20, 2017, to April 9, 2020. Eligible participants were aged between 13 and 17 years and met diagnostic criteria for nonsuicidal self-injury disorder; they were enrolled as a mixed cohort of consecutive patients and volunteers. Parents participated in parallel to their children. The primary end point was at 1 month after treatment. Participants were followed up at 3 months posttreatment. Data collection ended in January 2021. Interventions: Twelve weeks of therapist-guided, internet-delivered emotion regulation individual therapy delivered adjunctive to treatment as usual vs treatment as usual only. Main Outcomes and Measures: Primary outcome was the youth version of the Deliberate Self-harm Inventory, both self-reported by participants prior to treatment, once every week during treatment, and for 4 weeks posttreatment, and clinician-rated by masked assessors prior to treatment and at 1 and 3 months posttreatment. Results: A total of 166 adolescents (mean [SD] age, 15.0 [1.2] years; 154 [92.8%] female) were randomized to internet-delivered emotion regulation therapy plus treatment as usual (84 participants) or treatment as usual only (82 participants). The experimental intervention was superior to the control condition in reducing clinician-rated nonsuicidal self-injury (82% vs 47% reduction; incidence rate ratio, 0.34; 95% CI, 0.20-0.57) from pretreatment to 1-month posttreatment. These results were maintained at 3-month posttreatment. Improvements in emotion dysregulation mediated improvements in self-injury during treatment. Conclusions and Relevance: In this randomized clinical trial, a 12-week, therapist-guided, internet-delivered emotion regulation therapy delivered adjunctive to treatment as usual was efficacious in reducing self-injury, and mediation analysis supported the theorized role of emotion regulation as the mechanism of change in this treatment. This treatment may increase availability of evidence-based psychological treatments for adolescents with nonsuicidal self-injury. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03353961.

Differences in suicide risk correlates and history of suicide ideation and attempts as a function of disability type.

BACKGROUND: Disability status is associated with correlates of suicide risk (perceived burdensomeness, thwarted belongingness, negative future disposition, felt stigma, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempts). AIMS: This study aimed to examine whether suicide-related correlates differ significantly as a function of disability type. METHODS: Individuals with mobility and vision disabilities (N = 102) completed semistructured interviews and online-based questionnaires. Analysis of variance/analysis of covaiance and Fisher's exact tests were conducted to examine whether mean levels of suicide-related correlates differed significantly between individuals with blindness/low vision (n = 63) versus mobility-related (n = 39) disabilities. RESULTS: No significant between-group differences were observed for most outcomes; however, individuals with vision disabilities reported higher mean levels of felt stigma and positive future disposition than those with mobility-related disabilities. LIMITATIONS: The limited representation of disabilities among participants precludes generalization to individuals with other forms of disability and the cross-sectional design prevents inference about causality. CONCLUSIONS: Interventions targeting cognitive processes that underlie suicide risk may be applicable to people with mobility and vision disabilities.

The prospective relations of substance use frequency to social distancing behaviors and intentions during the COVID-19 pandemic: the role of social distancing self-efficacy.

To identify factors that increase risk for nonadherence to recommended health protective behaviors during pandemics, this study examined the prospective relations of substance use frequency to both adherence to social distancing recommendations and social distancing intentions during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the role of social distancing self-efficacy in these relations. A U.S. community sample of 377 adults completed a prospective online study, including an initial assessment between March 27 and April 5, 2020, and a follow-up assessment one-month later. Results revealed a significant direct relation of baseline substance use frequency to lower adherence to social distancing recommendations one-month later. Results also revealed significant indirect relations of greater substance use frequency to lower levels of both social distancing behaviors and intentions one-month later through lower social distancing self-efficacy. Results highlight the relevance of substance use and social distancing self-efficacy to lower adherence to social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The impact of stay-at-home orders on vulnerability assessments and precautionary intentions during a pandemic.

In 2020, a novel emerging infectious disease - COVID-19 - became a global pandemic and prompted unprecedented social distancing measures. We examined the associations of voluntary stay-at-home (SAH) orders during the COVID-19 pandemic with vulnerability assessments and precautionary intentions (e.g. social distancing, hand washing). A quasi-experimental study using an online adult sample was conducted in U.S. states with and without voluntary SAH orders during the COVID-19 pandemic. Self-report surveys assessed vulnerability assessments and precautionary intentions. Participants living in states with SAH orders showed inflated vulnerability assessments for contracting COVID-19, and this association was stronger for affect-laden than cognitively-based assessments. Moreover, only affect-laden vulnerability assessments were uniquely associated with precautionary intentions and accounted for the relationship between SAH orders and precautionary intentions. Our study was among the first to explore the impact of voluntary SAH orders on vulnerability assessments and precautionary intentions. Results are discussed in terms of their implications for health behavioral models and applications for promoting self-protective actions during a pandemic.

Mothers' borderline personality disorder symptom severity and accuracy in predicting infant distress.

Maternal borderline personality disorder (BPD) symptoms have been found to relate to parenting difficulties that subsequently predict children's maladjustment. One specific area of difficulty for mothers with BPD symptoms surrounds responses to infant distress. Based in mentalization theories of BPD, the current study tested the relation between BPD symptom severity and maternal accuracy in predicting infant distress. Infant biological sex was also tested as a moderator. Participants included 101 mothers, varying in self-reported BPD symptom severity, and their 12- to 23-month-old infants. At a laboratory visit, mothers responded to structured questions about their predictions for infant distress behaviors in fear- and anger-eliciting tasks, which were then observed. Maternal accuracy represented the statistical association between maternal predictions and infant distress behaviors. Maternal accuracy did not differ between infant fear and anger. For male infants, mothers' higher BPD symptom severity related to lower accuracy across fear and anger contexts. For female infants, BPD symptom severity did not influence maternal accuracy. Results are discussed in relation to existing theories of emotional disruption in the relationships between mothers with BPD symptoms and their infants. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Fear of compassion from others explains the relation between borderline personality disorder symptoms and ineffective conflict resolution strategies among patients with substance use disorders.

BACKGROUND: Borderline personality disorder (BPD) pathology is common among patients with substance use disorders (SUDs) and associated with a variety of negative outcomes, including worse SUD outcomes. One particularly relevant outcome with links to substance use problems that is likely to be elevated among SUD patients with BPD symptoms is ineffective conflict resolution strategies in romantic relationships. However, no research to date has examined the relation of BPD pathology to strategies for managing conflict in romantic relationships among patients with SUDs, or the factors that may increase the use of ineffective strategies within this population. Thus, this study examined the relations of BPD symptoms to ineffective responses to romantic relationship conflict surrounding substance use among residential patients with SUDs, as well as the explanatory roles of fear of compassion from and for others in these relations. METHODS: Patients in a community-based correctional SUD residential treatment facility (N = 93) completed questionnaires, including a measure of BPD symptoms, fear of compassion from and for others, and strategies for responding to conflict surrounding substance use in romantic relationships. RESULTS: Fear of compassion from others accounted for significant variance in the relations of BPD symptoms to the ineffective conflict resolution strategies of reactivity, domination, and submission, whereas fear of compassion for others only accounted for significant variance in the relation between BPD symptoms and the strategy of separation (which is not always ineffective). CONCLUSIONS: Together, findings suggest that it is fear of compassion from others (vs. fear of compassion for others) that explains the relation between BPD symptoms and ineffective responses to romantic relationship conflict surrounding substance use among SUD patients. Findings highlight the potential utility of interventions aimed at reducing fears of compassion and increasing comfort with and tolerance of compassion from both others and oneself among SUD patients with BPD symptoms in order to strengthen relationships and reduce risk for relapse.

An experimental investigation of the affect regulating properties of sugar consumption: Examining the roles of socially-oriented positive and negative affect.

Obesity is a major public health concern, and sugar consumption is a key risk factor for obesity. Thus, there is a need to identify factors that may increase motivation to consume sugar. One such factor may be negative affect, as research has shown that negative affect increases motivation for and engagement in appetitive behaviors, including sugar consumption. The goal of the present study was to extend past research on the role of negative affect in sugar consumption by examining: (a) the effect of a socially-oriented negative affect induction (i.e., social rejection) on the consumption of flavored beverages with varying levels of sugar, and (b) the negative and positive affect regulating properties of varying levels of sugar consumption. Undergraduate students (N = 116) were randomized to receive either a neutral or socially-oriented negative affect induction. Participants were then presented with three flavored beverages with varying levels of sugar (low, medium, high). Negative and positive affect were assessed prior to and following the affect induction procedure, as well as following consumption of the beverage. Participants exposed to the negative affect induction consumed a larger volume of the high sugar beverage (as well as a larger volume of all sugary beverages) relative to participants in the neutral induction condition. Moreover, these findings could not be attributed to a greater preference for the high sugar beverage among participants in the negative affect condition. Additionally, lower levels of positive affect post-induction across all participants (regardless of condition) were associated with greater consumption of the high sugar beverage, and high sugar beverage consumption was significantly positively associated with post-consumption positive affect. Results provide evidence for an affect-regulating function of sugar consumption following social rejection.

Examining associations between suicidal desire, implicit fearlessness about death, and lifetime frequency of suicide attempts.

INTRODUCTION: Suicide models propose that the capability for suicide, such as fearlessness about death (FAD), is necessary for the transition from suicidal desire to a suicide attempt. Most studies have relied on self-report methods to assess FAD. However, this research has produced equivocal results. As individuals may have limited awareness of learned or pre-existing associations between fearlessness and death, implicit measures of FAD hold promise. This study used a novel implicit association test (IAT), the IAT-FAD, to examine associations between suicidal desire, implicit FAD, and lifetime suicide attempt frequency. METHODS: Patients in residential substance use treatment (N = 75), a population with increased suicide risk and exposure to painful and provocative events, completed the IAT-FAD and assessments of suicidal desire and past suicide attempts. RESULTS: Implicit FAD moderated the association between suicidal desire and lifetime frequency of suicide attempts associated with an intent to die and requiring medical attention (although not ambivalent suicide attempts). Suicidal desire related to medically attended suicide attempts only at high implicit FAD levels, and to suicide attempts with a clear intent to die only at high or mean implicit FAD levels. CONCLUSION: Results provide initial support for the relevance of implicit measures of FAD for understanding suicide risk.

Hiding in the open: Consideration of nonsuicidal self-injury by proxy as a clinically meaningful construct.

Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) is defined as the deliberate destruction of one's own body tissue without suicidal intent and for purposes not socially sanctioned. However, this definition limits the understanding and assessment of NSSI by excluding a clinically relevant form of NSSI that is both self-driven and associated with self-injurious intentions: NSSI by proxy. Specifically, we propose that NSSI by proxy be defined as the intentional destruction of one's own body tissue through the elicitation of another being's (e.g., human, animal) actions, wherein the agency of the person being injured is a critical facet of the behavior. We review the literature supporting the clinical relevance of this behavior, as well as its similarities to traditional NSSI. Next, we propose four behaviors that may be conceptualized as NSSI by proxy, and identify two other behaviors that warrant further investigation. Finally, we identify future directions for research in this area and implications for the assessment and treatment of NSSI.

The prospective relation between borderline personality disorder symptoms and suicide risk: The mediating roles of emotion regulation difficulties and perceived burdensomeness.

BACKGROUND: Despite the strong link between borderline personality disorder (BPD) symptoms and suicide risk, little is known about the mechanisms underlying this association. Theory-driven research clarifying the pathways through which BPD symptoms increase suicide risk over time is needed and may highlight relevant treatment targets for decreasing suicide risk among individuals with heightened BPD symptoms. This study examined the prospective relations among BPD symptoms, emotion regulation (ER) difficulties, perceived burdensomeness, thwarted belongingness, and suicide risk across five assessments over a 7-month period. Consistent with the interpersonal theory of suicide, we hypothesized that greater BPD symptoms would predict greater suicide risk over time via greater ER difficulties and, subsequently, greater perceived burdensomeness. METHODS: A U.S. nationwide sample of 500 adults (47 % women; mean age = 40.0 ± 11.64) completed a prospective online study, including an initial assessment and four follow-up assessments over the next seven months. RESULTS: Results revealed a significant indirect relation between BPD symptoms and greater suicide risk over time through greater ER difficulties and later perceived burdensomeness. Results also provided evidence for transactional relations between BPD symptoms and ER difficulties and suicide risk over time. LIMITATIONS: All constructs were assessed via self-report questionnaire data. Our measure of suicide risk focuses on only suicidal ideation, plans, and impulses, and not suicide attempts or preparatory behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: Results highlight both ER- and interpersonal-related factors as key mechanisms underlying suicide risk among community adults with BPD symptoms.

The moderating role of sexual minority status in the associations of the experience and tolerance of shame-related emotions to suicide risk.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the associations of the experience and tolerance of shame-related emotions to suicide risk, as well as the moderating role of sexual minority status. METHODS: Community adults (N = 360) were recruited via MTurk and completed self-report questionnaires. Hierarchical regression analyses examined the main and interactive associations of sexual minority status and shame-related variables to suicide risk. RESULTS: Results revealed significant positive associations between self-disgust and suicide risk for sexual minority and heterosexual participants, although the magnitude was greater for sexual minority participants. Additionally, tolerance of shame was significantly negatively related to suicide risk only among sexual minority participants. Finally, exploratory analyses examining the three-way interaction of self-disgust, shame tolerance, and sexual minority status revealed a significant negative association between shame tolerance and suicide risk only among sexual minority participants with high levels of self-disgust. CONCLUSION: Results highlight the relevance of shame-related experiences to suicide risk among sexual minorities.

Treatment-relevant factors among adults receiving court-mandated substance use treatment: The role of emotion dysregulation.

Despite often being mandated to substance use treatment after release, many people on probation do not complete treatment. Several historical factors have been identified as relevant to substance use treatment in this population (i.e., past substance use, treatment history, and criminal history); however, less is known about the psychological characteristics, such as emotion dysregulation, that influence treatment-relevant factors among people in the criminal justice system. The present study used cross-sectional data to examine whether emotion dysregulation was associated with past-year substance use severity, engagement in prior drug and alcohol use treatments (yes/no, number of prior treatments), and previous criminal charges (total number of charges, number of charge types) in a sample of adults on probation who were receiving court-mandated substance use treatment (N = 163). We also examined whether these relationships varied across sex. Results showed that overall emotion dysregulation was more strongly linked to substance use severity and criminal charges for females than males. Emotion dysregulation dimensions of difficulties engaging in goal-directed behaviors and controlling impulsive behaviors when distressed were associated with more severe past-year substance use, more prior drug treatments, and a greater number of lifetime criminal charges and charge types. Emotion dysregulation plays a role in substance use treatment-relevant factors among people on probation. Sex-specific clinical implications of targeting emotion dysregulation in the context of mandated treatment in order to prevent treatment failures are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Self-injury motives: A person-centered examination.

INTRODUCTION: People report multiple motives for nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI), but few studies have examined how these motives relate to one another. This study identified person-centered classes of NSSI motives, their NSSI and psychopathological correlates, and their utility in predicting future NSSI across two samples. METHODS: Participants were adolescents and young adults (aged 15-35) with recent NSSI recruited from online forums (n = 155, Sample 1) or the community (n = 127, Sample 2). Participants completed measures of NSSI, emotion regulation difficulties, borderline personality disorder (BPD), depression, and reported on their NSSI over 12 months. RESULTS: Latent profile analyses yielded five classes in each sample: low interpersonal, self-punishment/interpersonal, moderate intra/interpersonal, high intra/interpersonal, and mainly interpersonal motives. Classes were not associated with lifetime NSSI characteristics, but highly motivated participants reported more severe depression and BPD symptoms, and greater emotion dysregulation than low-motivated participants. Those in the mainly interpersonal (Sample 1) and self-punishment/interpersonal (Sample 2) motives classes reported greater NSSI frequency during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: This study identified five classes of NSSI motives. Participants who report multiple motives for NSSI may be more clinically severe, whereas those who report strong desires to communicate with others or punish themselves may be at the highest risk for more frequent NSSI over time.

Daily associations of interpersonal and emotional experiences following stressful events among young adults with and without nonsuicidal self-injury.

OBJECTIVES: Emotional and interpersonal dysfunction appears central to nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI), yet research examining the interplay of these factors among individuals with NSSI is limited. This study aimed to specify such associations before and after daily stressful events among individuals with (vs. without) NSSI. METHODS: Young adult participants (Mage = 20.4) with past-year (n = 56) or no history (n = 47) of NSSI completed daily diary assessments over a 2-week period. RESULTS: No differences in rates of positive or negative interpersonal experiences before or after stressful events were identified. NSSI participants, however, reported greater negative emotion following stressful events compared with non-NSSI participants. The presence (vs. absence) of a positive interpersonal experience following a stressful event was related to lower negative emotional responses only in the NSSI group. CONCLUSION: Positive interpersonal experiences may downregulate negative emotions following stressful events among individuals with NSSI, highlighting the potential relevance of interpersonal emotion regulation to this population.