title: Identifying clinically distinct subgroups of self-injurers among young adults: a latent class analysis.
abstract: High rates of nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI; 14%-17%) in adolescents and young adults suggest that some self-injurers may exhibit more or different psychiatric problems than others. In the present study, the authors utilized a latent class analysis to identify clinically distinct subgroups of self-injurers. Participants were 205 young adults with a history of 1 or more NSSI behaviors. Latent classes were identified on the basis of method (e.g., cutting vs. biting vs. burning), descriptive features (e.g., self-injuring alone or with others), and functions (i.e., social vs. automatic). The analysis yielded 4 subgroups of self-injurers, which were then compared on measures of depression, anxiety, borderline personality disorder, and suicidality. Almost 80% of participants belonged to 1 of 2 latent classes characterized by fewer or less severe NSSI behaviors and fewer clinical symptoms. A 3rd class (11% of participants) performed a variety of NSSI behaviors, endorsed both social and automatic functions, and was characterized by high anxiety. A 4th class (11% of participants) cut themselves in private, in the service of automatic functions, and was characterized by high suicidality. Clinical and research implications are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Stony Brook University.
authors.forename: E David
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-3057-0800
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Klonsky
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Stony Brook University.
authors.forename: Thomas M
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-5139-8571
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Olino
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D001883:Borderline Personality Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D015897:Comorbidity; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016013:Likelihood Functions; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011594:Psychometrics; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D012931:Social Environment; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000523:psychology