title: Nonsuicidal self-injury in a college population: general trends and sex differences.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe basic nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) characteristics and to explore sex differences.
  
  
  METHODS
  A random sample from 8 universities were invited to participate in a Web-based survey in 2006-2007; 38.9% (n = 14,372) participated. Analysis assessed sex differences in NSSI prevalence, practices, severity, perceived dependency, and help-seeking; adjusted odds ratios for NSSI characteristics were calculated by sex status.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Lifetime NSSI prevalence rates averaged 15.3%. Females were more likely than males to self-injure because they were upset (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.6; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.3-2.1) or in hopes that someone would notice them (AOR = 1.6, 95% CI = 1.1-2.7). Males were 1.6 times (95% CI = 1.2-2.2) more likely to report anger and 4.0 times (95% CI = 2.3-6.8) more likely to report intoxication as an initiating factor. Sexual orientation predicted NSSI, particularly for women (Wald F = 8.81, p ≤ .000). Only 8.9% of the NSSI sample reported disclosing NSSI to a mental health professional.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  NSSI is common in college populations but varies significantly by sex and sexual orientation. NSSI disclosure is low among both sexes.
authors.affiliation: Bronfenbrenner Center for Translational Research, Department of Human Development, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA. jlw43@cornell.edu
authors.forename: Janis
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Whitlock
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Muehlenkamp
authors.forename: Amanda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Purington
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Eckenrode
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Barreira
authors.forename: Gina
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Baral Abrams
authors.forename: Tim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Marchell
authors.forename: Victoria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Kress
authors.forename: Kristine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Girard
authors.forename: Calvin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chin
authors.forename: Kerry
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Knox
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000435:Alcoholic Intoxication / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D000786:Anger; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006716:Homosexuality / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012737:Sex Factors; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014495:Universities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult