Risk Factors Associated With Self-injurious Behavior Among a National Sample of Undergraduate College Students

Abstract

Objective: Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) and suicidality among undergraduates represent important public health issues. This analysis identified risk factors that distinguished 3 groups, those who reported no history of self-harm; self-injury, but no suicide attempts (NSSI only); and self-injury and a suicide attempt (NSSI + SA) in the past year. Methods: Data came from 16,044 undergraduates who completed the Fall 2010 National College Health Assessment. Results: Over 3% of students reported NSSI, and one third of these individuals also attempted suicide. Factors that distinguished the NSSI only and NSSI + SA groups from the no self-harm group included current depressive symptoms, nonheterosexual orientation, an eating disorder/extreme weight control behavior, and diagnosis of an internalizing disorder. Factors that distinguished the NSSI + SA group from the NSSI only group were current depressive symptoms and diagnosis of an internalizing disorder. Conclusions: Students experiencing mental health problems demonstrate increased risk for NSSI and/or suicidal behavior.

Keywords:

• mental health
• prevention
• risk
• self-injury
• suicide

FUNDING

No funding was used to support this research and/or the preparation of the manuscript.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST DISCLOSURE

The authors have no conflicts of interest to report. The authors confirm that the research presented in this article met the ethical guidelines, including adherence to the legal requirements, of the United States and received approval from the Institutional Review Board of the University of Missouri.

NOTE

For comments and further information, address correspondence to Lindsay Taliaferro, PhD, Department of Health Sciences and Human Performance, School of Natural and Health Sciences, 401 West Kennedy Boulevard, Box 30F, University of Tampa, Tampa, FL 33606, USA (e-mail: [email protected]).

Notes

* Results did not change when cases were excluded listwise from analyses.