Up to one in five emerging adults engage in non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI). Providing a better understanding of factors that differentiate between who engages in lifetime NSSI and who is more likely to engage in recent and clinically severe NSSI can provide meaningful information for prevention and intervention of NSSI. The present study (n = 669) considered NSSI lifetime engagement (no prior history of NSSI vs. lifetime NSSI), recency [past NSSI (>12 months ago) vs. recent (≤12-month) NSSI], and clinical severity among those with recent NSSI (subthreshold vs. DSM-5 NSSI disorder). The prevalence of NSSI disorder was 8.4% in emerging adults aged 18 to 26 years old. Higher anxiety levels were related to NSSI engagement, but only depressive symptoms and NSSI versatility were consistently associated with more recent NSSI and NSSI disorder. A stepped-care approach may be required in addressing NSSI among emerging adults.

Research on the validity of the behavioral inhibition system/behavioral approach system (BIS/BAS) scales focused on adolescent, student and adult populations. This study is the first to examine the psychometric properties of the BIS/BAS scales in a community (n = 368) and a clinical sample (n = 160) of older adults. Exploratory structural equation modelling with target rotation to the Carver and White model supported the construct validity of the BIS/BAS scales. Internal consistencies of the scales were generally satisfactory. Female participants scored higher on BIS and BAS-Reward Responsiveness compared with males. The community-dwelling sample scored higher on BAS-Drive and BAS-Reward Responsiveness compared with the clinical sample. Concerning the nomological net, BIS was positively related to Anxiety, Depression, maladaptive coping strategies, Neuroticism and Cluster C personality disorders. BAS was positively related to Openness, Extraversion, Active Confronting and Cluster B personality disorders and negatively related to the schizoid personality disorder. The BIS/BAS Scales are a useful instrument for measuring Gray’s theory of personality in older adults.

Although anger is theorised to play a key role in the manifestation of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), prospective research in real-world settings is limited. Therefore, the present study examines (1) whether individuals with and without a history of NSSI differ in anger levels in their natural setting and (2) whether heightened self- or other-directed anger predicts NSSI cognitions (i.e. thoughts and self-efficacy to resist NSSI) and behaviour in daily life. Using ecological momentary assessment in 60 emerging adults (ages 18-22) with and without past-year NSSI, participants completed eight daily surveys over 12 days, yielding 4,587 assessments (median compliance = 83.3%; IQR = 71.9-91.7). Emerging adults who used NSSI in the past year reported higher anger at self and others than peers without NSSI history, with higher-than-usual anger at self, but not at others, predicting greater NSSI thought intensity and lower self-efficacy to resist NSSI 90 minutes later. Anger at self also signaled increased risk for NSSI behaviour, but this association became non-significant when controlling for NSSI thoughts. These findings highlight differences in the object of anger between individuals with and without past-year NSSI and underscore the clinical importance of interventions focused on reducing self-directed anger to decrease NSSI thoughts and ultimately prevent self-injury.

Introduction: The Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory of Personality Questionnaire (RST-PQ) has its roots in the revised reinforcement sensitivity theory of personality. Objectives: This study investigated the reliability and validity of the Dutch translation of the RST-PQ and proposed a brief version. Methods: A sample of 603 Belgian and Dutch adults completed the RST-PQ, and to assess convergent and divergent validity, a subgroup also completed other personality and symptom questionnaires. Results: A confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) confirmed the a priori six-factor structure of the RST-PQ, similar to other translations. However, this model did not satisfy the requirements of an acceptable fit. Therefore, a brief version of the RST-PQ (B-RST-PQ) was developed. In line with the aims of the RST-PQ, a CFA showed an acceptable fit for the six-factor model of the B-RST-PQ. The B-RST-PQ obtained good reliability coefficients of the six scales and high correlations with the original RST-PQ. Conclusion: The B-RST-PQ seems to be a valid and reliable instrument for future research.