Transdiagnostic Correlates of Nonsuicidal Self-Injury: The Roles of Anhedonia, Repetitive Negative Thinking, and Trait Mindfulness

Identifying transdiagnostic mechanisms that relate to nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI), the intentional destruction of one’s own body tissue without suicidal intent and for purposes not culturally or socially sanctioned, is critical for the development and further refinement of NSSI-focused interventions. Accordingly, the present study aimed to characterize potential roles for anhedonia, repetitive negative thinking, and trait mindfulness as they relate to history of NSSI, NSSI urge-to-action, and NSSI functions. We hypothesized that these variables would relate to NSSI, NSSI urge-to-action, and explored correlations with functions of NSSI: interpersonal (i.e., reinforcement is social) and intrapersonal (e.g., reinforcement is self-focused) functions. Results indicated that greater anhedonia was related to history of NSSI. Among participants who reported history of NSSI, lower levels of trait mindfulness were associated with less time spent between NSSI urge and NSSI action. Finally, amongst participants who reported history of NSSI, interpersonal functions of NSSI were positively correlated with greater anhedonia, while intrapersonal NSSI function was positively correlated with higher levels of repetitive negative thinking, suggesting potential differential mechanisms that may contribute to the maintenance of NSSI. This work highlights transdiagnostic mechanisms that relate to history of NSSI, NSSI urge-to-action latency, and potential differential correlates of NSSI functions.