Prevalence and correlates of self-injury among university students.
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.
Gollust
Sarah Elizabeth
SE
Department of Health Management and Policy, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2029, USA. sgollust@umich.edu
Eisenberg
Daniel
D
Golberstein
Ezra
E
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