Background:Over the past several years there has been considerable interest in the relation between emotion dysregulation and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), particularly given that rates of NSSI have been increasing and NSSI is a critical risk factor for suicidal behavior. To date, however, no synthesis of empirical findings exists.Methods:The present study presents a comprehensive meta-analytic review of the literature on the association between NSSI and emotion dysregulation. A total of 48 publications, including 49 independent samples, were included in this analysis.Results:Overall, a significant association was found between emotion dysregulation and NSSI (pooled OR = 3.03 [95% CI = 2.56–3.59]). This association was reduced but remained significant (OR = 2.40 [95% CI = 2.01–2.86]) after adjustment for publication bias. Emotion dysregulation subscales most strongly associated with NSSI included limited access to regulation strategies, non-acceptance of emotional responses, impulse control difficulties, and difficulties engaging goal-directed behavior. Lack of emotional awareness/clarity and cognitive aspects of dysregulation yielded weaker, yet significant, positive associations with NSSI.Conclusions:Findings support the notion that greater emotion dysregulation is associated with higher risk for NSSI among individuals across settings, regardless of age or sex. Furthermore, findings reveal facets of dysregulation that may have unique implications for NSSI. This meta-analysis highlights the importance of better understanding emotion dysregulation as a treatment target for preventing NSSI.

Suicidal ideation (SI) is a common presenting problem for psychiatric hospitalizations in adolescents and often persists following discharge. This study examines whether distinct trajectories of SI could be delineated following hospitalization and the risk factors most strongly related to these trajectories. Adolescents (N = 104; 76 females; 28 males) were followed for 6 months after discharge from inpatient or partial hospitalization. Semi-parametric group modeling identified SI trajectory group membership. In all, 33.7% of adolescents fell in a Subclinical SI group, 43.3% in a Declining SI group, and 23.1% in a Chronic SI group. Multinomial logistic regression was utilized to examine baseline predictors of group membership. Emotion dysregulation differentiated Chronic SI from Declining SI. In multivariate analyses, adolescents endorsing greater non-acceptance of emotional responses (OR =1.18) and more limited access to emotion regulation strategies (OR =1.12) were more likely to belong to the Chronic SI than Declining SI trajectory. Those in the Chronic SI group also had the greatest number of suicide attempts and hospitalizations in the 6 months post-discharge. These results suggest that clinicians should closely monitor and address emotion dysregulation when assessing suicide risk. Greater dysregulation may require more intensive services in order to have an effect on chronic SI.