title: Variability in affective activation predicts non-suicidal self-injury in eating disorders.
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.
authors.affiliation: University Psychiatric Center KU Leuven-Campus Kortenberg, Leuvensesteenweg 517, Kortenberg, Belgium. Kristof.Vansteelandt@uc-kortenberg.be
authors.forename: Kristof
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Vansteelandt
authors.forename: Laurence
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Claes
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Muehlenkamp
authors.forename: Kathleen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: De Cuyper
authors.forename: Jos
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lemmens
authors.forename: Michel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Probst
authors.forename: Johan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vanderlinden
authors.forename: Guido
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pieters
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect / Q000145:classification* / Q000502:physiology; D001883:Borderline Personality Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology; D015897:Comorbidity; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult