title: Prevalence and correlates of self-injury among university students.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The authors' purpose in this research was to establish estimates of the prevalence and correlates of nonsuicidal self-injury among university students.
  
  
  METHODS
  The authors recruited participants (N = 2,843) from a random sample of 5,021 undergraduate and graduate students attending a large midwestern public university.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using an Internet-based survey, the authors measured the prevalence of self-injury and potential risk factors, including depression, anxiety, eating disorders, suicidal thoughts, and negative health behaviors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seven percent of students reported any self-injury over the previous 4 weeks. Factors associated with a significantly higher likelihood (p <.05) of self-injury included cigarette smoking, concurrent depressive and anxiety disorders, and for men, growing up in a family of low socioeconomic status and having symptoms of eating disorders. Only 26% of those who reported self-injury received mental health therapy or medication in the previous year.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Students who harm themselves experience high anxiety and distress, yet are unlikely to seek help.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Management and Policy, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2029, USA. sgollust@umich.edu
authors.forename: Sarah Elizabeth
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Gollust
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Eisenberg
authors.forename: Ezra
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Golberstein
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology; D014495:Universities