In a 2014 systematic review of worldwide studies to date, pooled estimates of self-injury prevalence rates were 17.2% among adolescents, 13.4% among young adults, and 5.5% among adults. According to a recent article in the American Psychological Association Monitor on Psychology, the rate of Non-Suicidal Self-Injury (NSSI) has begun to stabilize over the past five years. NSSI is defined as deliberate self-inflicted harm that is not intended to be suicidal. However, those who engage in 20 or more self-injuring behaviors are more likely to attempt suicide in the future, at an increased rate of 3.4 times the normal population. The likelihood of self-injury does not seem to be related to race or socioeconomic status. While females are thought to be more prone to NSSI, it is very likely that males who self-injure are underreported. Those who are of sexual minority status are more likely to self-injure, especially gay and bisexual males and bisexual females. In addition, those with eating disorders and those who are bullied are more likely to engage in NSSI. Body devaluation is also a risk factor for self-injury. Further information on NSSI may be found on the Cornell Research Program on Self-Injury.
Contributor:
Julie T. Steck, Ph.D., HSPP
CRG/Children’s Resource Group
Indianapolis, IN
