Abstracts Psychology

Mental health factors associated with nonsuicidal self-injury in emerging adults

by Kashia L Axthelm

Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) is defined as intentional damage to the body without suicidal intent that is not part of a socially accepted behavior. The current study aimed to further research on NSSI by examining the relationship between NSSI and depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, history of suicide attempts, gender, and the interaction between gender and each mental health factor in college students. The strongest unique predictors of NSSI in college students (N = 804) were a history of suicide attempts, depression, and suicidal ideation, meaning that students with elevated levels of those mental health factors are more likely to engage in NSSI than their peers with lower levels of those mental health factors. Women were generally more likely to engage in NSSI than men. There was a significant interaction between a history of suicide attempts and gender in predicting NSSI. Women who report a previous history of suicide attempts are more likely to engage in NSSI than those who do not report a history of suicide attempts, but this relationship was not significant for men. The significance of the relationship between NSSI and suicide attempts for women, but not for men, highlights the need for future research to assess the interaction between gender and each mental health factor associated with NSSI in college students, as the level of each mental health factor associated with NSSI may differ depending on gender. Consistent definitions and measurement of NSSI are needed in order to further advance future research in the field. Advisors/Committee Members: Reynolds, William.