The transdiagnostic role of emotional dysregulation and temperament in non suicidal self-injury: Cross sectional study among adolescents receiving intensive psychiatric care

This study investigated dimensions of emotional dysregulation (ED) and cyclothymic temperamental traits in adolescents, focusing on their association with non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) from a transdiagnostic perspective. A total of 208 adolescents undergoing treatment for acute psychiatric condition (aged 12-18) completed comprehensive diagnostic assessment and were divided into two groups: those meeting Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revised (DSM-5-TR) criteria for NSSI-D (NSSI group) and psychiatric controls (PC group). To assess ED and temperament participants completed the RIPoST-Y scale and the Cyclothymic Hypersensitive Temperament (CHT) questionnaire; depressive symptoms have been assessed by using the Children's Depression Inventory-2 (CDI-2). The NSSI group exhibited significantly higher levels of both ED and CHT compared to controls. Logistic regression analysis identified the interpersonal sensitivity domain of ED and depressive symptoms, as independent predictors of NSSI, regardless of DSM-5 diagnostic categories. These findings underscore the strong association between emotional dysregulation, temperamental affective instability and self-harm behaviors, highlighting these dimensions as potentially important clinical targets in prevention and treatment for adolescents with NSSI.