Positive Emotion Dysregulation Identifies Trauma-Exposed Community Individuals at Risk for Suicide and Nonsuicidal Self-Injury

Emotion dysregulation is associated with increased risk for suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STBs) and nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI). However, research in this area has focused almost exclusively on dysregulation stemming from negative emotions. The present study aimed to address this gap in the literature by examining the associations between the specific domains of positive emotion dysregulation and both STBs and NSSI. Participants included 397 trauma-exposed community adults (Mage = 35.95; 57.7% female; 76.8% White). Results demonstrated significant associations between positive emotion dysregulation and both STBs and NSSI. In particular, higher levels of nonacceptance of positive emotions were found to be significantly related to risk for STBs (versus no risk), higher severity of STBs, and history of NSSI (versus no history). Findings suggest positive emotion dysregulation may play an important role in the etiology and treatment of both STBs and NSSI among trauma-exposed individuals.