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Abstract
Background
This article aimed to examine and compare the frequency of occurrence of a broad range of non‐suicidal self‐injury (NSSI) behaviours in an international sample of women.
Methods
Female participants with NSSI (n = 464) were recruited via a range of websites and completed a questionnaire examining 17 different types of NSSI types and their frequency, severity, and duration.
Results
Prevalent acts were cutting, scratching, and word carving; cutting and scratching occurred frequently, whilst word carving most often occurred as a single episode. Analyses revealed significant differences between Australian and U.S. participants, with U.S. participants having significantly higher rates of cutting, wound interference, carving, scratching, and sharp object sticking. Participants also reported on other self‐harm methods not assessed by the questionnaire.
Conclusions
Word carving may be qualitatively different from other forms of NSSI. More severe NSSI methods (e.g., bone breaking) are less prevalent than less dangerous methods (e.g., scratching). Participants considered a range of indirectly harmful or suicidal behaviours as self‐injury contrary to researcher or clinician understanding. Finally, there may be cultural differences in relation to NSSI between countries where such behaviours are common, although further research is required to determine this.
Abstract
Funding: None.
Conflict of interest: None.
Funding: None.
Conflict of interest: None.
Acknowledgements
Acknowledgements must go to Professor Kim Gratz for supplying the Deliberate Self‐Harm Inventory to the authors; Professor Marita McCabe for her helpful feedback regarding the larger study design; and to the participants for taking the time to share their information.
Notes
Funding: None.
Conflict of interest: None.