Affective correlates of trichotillomania across the pulling cycle: Findings from an Italian sample of self-identified hair pullers

Abstract

Etiological models of trichotillomania (TTM) conceptualize hair pulling as a dysfunctional emotion regulation strategy; accordingly, some research has found that affective states change differentially across the hair pulling cycle. We explored emotional changes in a sample of Italian individuals reporting TTM. Eighty-nine participants reporting TTM completed a 12-item section of the Italian Hair Pulling Questionnaire online and rated the extent to which they had experienced 12 affective states before, during, and after hair pulling. Overall, participants reported increased levels of shame, sadness, and frustration from pre- to post-pulling, and decreased levels of calmness after hair pulling episodes. Moreover, participants reported increased pleasure and relief across the pulling cycle, and variations in the direction of change for anger and anxiety depending on the hair pulling phase. Lastly, reported boredom decreased across the hair pulling cycle. These findings highlight the importance of considering emotional changes experienced across the pulling cycle in Italian hair pullers.

Keywords: Affective states; Hair pulling cycle; Italian sample; Trichotillomania.