Emotional reactivity in nonsuicidal self-injury: Divergence between self-report and startle measures

The current study examined emotional reactivity in nonsuicidal self-injurers and noninjuring controls using self-report (the Emotional Reactivity Scale: ERS) and psychophysiological measures (the startle reflex was measured during and after the presentation of IAPS images). Self-injurers reported greater emotional reactivity on the ERS, but did not exhibit differences in startle modulation during or after picture viewing compared to controls. Results suggest a divergence between self-report and psychophysiological measures of emotion in NSSI.

Research Highlights
► Self-injurers reported greater emotional reactivity compared to controls.
► No group differences in startle response during or after emotional picture viewing.
► Suggests a divergence between self-report and startle measures of emotion in NSSI.
► Replicates weaker yet, maintained affective modulation of startle postpicture.