The Moderating Effect of Self-esteem in the Relationship between Emotion Dysregulation and Non-suicidal Self-injury: A Preliminary Study

Abstract

The present study investigated the associations between emotion dysregulation, self-esteem, and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI). The participants included 60 community adults with a history of NSSI (Mean age = 22.47, SD = 3.35). Clinical interviews were conducted using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 (SCID-5) and Suicide Attempt Self-Injury Interview (SASII). Participants also completed a packet of self-report measures, includꠓing the Self-Harm Inventory, Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale, and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. Results indicated that NSSI showed a significant positive correlation with emotion dysregulation, and emotion dysregulation showed a significant negative correlation with self-esteem. Also, self-esteem moderated the relationship between emotion dysregulation and NSSI. More specifically, the effect of emotion dysregulation on NSSI was only significant for participants reporting low levels of self-esteem. The findings suggest the importance of self-esteem in underꠓstanding why people engage in NSSI in the context of emotion dysregulation and the value of self-esteem in the psychological treatment for NSSI.