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Cited by 294Suicide and Self-Harm StudiesPersonality Disorders and PsychopathologyMental Health Research Topics

Impulsivity and nonsuicidal self-injury: A review and meta-analysis

Hamza, Chloe A., Willoughby, Teena, Heffer, Taylor·2015·Clinical Psychology Review
DOI 10.1016/j.cpr.2015.02.010
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Abstract

Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI; direct self-injury without lethal intent) often is thought to be associated with impulse control problems. Recent research, however, offers conflicting results about whether impulsivity is a risk factor for NSSI engagement. To disentangle findings on the link between impulsivity and NSSI, an extensive review of the literature was conducted using several electronic databases (i.e., PsychInfo, PsychArticles, ERIC, CINAHL, and MEDLINE). In total, 27 studies that met the specific inclusion criteria were identified. Results of a meta-analysis revealed that individuals who engaged in NSSI self-reported greater impulsivity than individuals who did not engage in NSSI, and that this effect was most consistent for measures of negative urgency. In contrast, there was little evidence of an association between lab-based measures of impulsivity (e.g., Go/No-Go, Stop/Signal Task) and NSSI. Moreover, the link between impulsivity and NSSI found for self-report measures was sometimes eliminated when other risk factors for NSSI were controlled (e.g., abuse, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder). In addition to integrating findings, the present review provides several explanations for the discrepancies in findings between studies employing self-report versus lab-based measures of impulsivity. To conclude, several specific recommendations for future research directions to extend the literature on impulsivity and NSSI are offered.

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  • NSSI research reveals ACC structural alterations and disruptions in amygdala and ACC connectivity, which contribute to hyperarousal and reduced impulse control, central features of NSSI.

    “By contrast, NSSI research reveals ACC structural alterations (64, 69) as well as disruptions in amygdala and ACC connectivity (96), which contributes to hyperarousal and reduced impulse control—central features of NSSI (110, 111).”

    From Neural correlates associated with suicide and nonsuicidal self-injury in youth (2021) · cites this paper as [111]

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Authors
Hamza, C. A., Willoughby, T., & Heffer, T.
Affiliations
Brock University (CA)
Corresponding author
Hamza, Chloe A.
ORCID
Venue
Clinical Psychology Review
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2015-06
Volume
38
Pages
13-24
ISSN
0272-7358 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.cpr.2015.02.010
OpenAlex
W2129329684
Semantic Scholar
95a6ba2cf2b49ac789daf7907e0d9d08c063e878
Cited by
294
References
123
Citations by year
2026: 35 · 2025: 40 · 2024: 36 · 2023: 37 · 2022: 31 · 2021: 32 · 2020: 22 · 2019: 18 · 2018: 16 · 2017: 9 · 2016: 13 · 2015: 4
FWCI
1.99
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
Locations
  • Clinical Psychology Review (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Suicide and Self-Harm Studies
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Personality Disorders and Psychopathology
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Mental Health Research Topics
Keywords
non-suicidal self-injury, impulsivity, negative urgency, impulse control, self-report measures, go/no-go task, stop-signal task, abuse, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, risk factors
MeSH terms
Depression, Humans, Impulsive Behavior, Models, Psychological, Risk Factors, Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic, Self-Injurious Behavior, Intention

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