title: Frequency and functions of non-suicidal self-injury: associations with suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
abstract: Previous research has found associations between non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) and suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STBs), yet the nature of this relationship remains equivocal. The goal of the present study was to examine how lifetime NSSI frequency and individual NSSI functions relate to a history of suicidal ideation, plan, and attempt. Data were collected via a large (N=13,396) web-based survey of university students between the ages of 18 and 29. After demographics and psychiatric conditions were controlled for, we found a positive curvilinear relationship between NSSI frequency and each of the suicide outcomes. When examined among those with STBs, bipolar disorder and problematic substance use remained positively associated with risk for suicide attempt, but not NSSI. Analyses of individual NSSI functions showed differential associations with STBs of varying severity. Specifically, nearly every NSSI function was significantly related to suicide attempt, with functions related to avoiding committing suicide, coping with self-hatred, and feeling generation (anti-dissociation) showing the strongest risks for suicide attempt. From both clinical and research perspectives, these findings suggest the importance of assessing multiple reasons for engaging in self-injury.
authors.affiliation: Bronfenbrenner Center for Translational Research, Cornell Research Program on Self-Injury and Recovery, Cornell University, Beebe Hall, 110 Plantations Rd., Ithaca, NY 14853, USA; Department of Human Development, Cornell University, G87 Martha Van Rensselaer Hall Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA. Electronic address: ekp39@cornell.edu.
authors.forename: Elise
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Paul
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Hunter College of the City University of New York, 695 Park Ave New York, NY 10065, USA.
authors.forename: Aliona
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tsypes
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Psychology, Gordon F. Derner Institute of Advanced Psychological Studies, Adelphi University, P.O. Box 701, Garden City, NY 11530, USA.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Eidlitz
authors.affiliation: Bronfenbrenner Center for Translational Research, Cornell Research Program on Self-Injury and Recovery, Cornell University, Beebe Hall, 110 Plantations Rd., Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
authors.forename: Carrie
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ernhout
authors.affiliation: Bronfenbrenner Center for Translational Research, Cornell Research Program on Self-Injury and Recovery, Cornell University, Beebe Hall, 110 Plantations Rd., Ithaca, NY 14853, USA; Department of Human Development, Cornell University, G87 Martha Van Rensselaer Hall Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
authors.forename: Janis
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Whitlock
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012306:Risk; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000453:epidemiology*; D059020:Suicidal Ideation; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Self-harm; Self-injury; Suicidal ideation; Suicide attempt; Suicide plan; Young adults