Longitudinal Study of Nonsuicidal Self-Injury Among Young Adolescents: Rates, Correlates, and Preliminary Test of an Interpersonal Model

• NCJ Number: 224010
• Journal: Journal of Early Adolescence Volume: 28 Issue: 3 Dated: August 2008 Pages: 455-469
• Author(s): Lori M. Hilt; Matthew K. Nock; Elizabeth E. Lloyd-Richardson; Mitchell J. Prinstein
• Date Published: August 2008
• Length: 15 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

The purpose of this study was to examine rates, correlates, and an interpersonal model of nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) among a sample of adolescents.

Abstract

Consistent with the hypothesized interpersonal model of nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI), young adolescents reporting NSSI experienced a significant increase in the quality of relationships with their fathers. This finding offers initial empirical support for the social positive reinforcement function of NSSI. It also highlights the relative importance of father-adolescent relationships. The rate of NSSI in the past 12 months for this study sample was 7.5 percent. Consistent with previous studies, rates were as high among boys compared to girls. There were no significant differences across grade levels. This study provides important information about the rate of NSSI among young adolescents and preliminary evidence for a possible relation between engagement in NSSI and improved relationship quality. NSSI, which refers to direct, deliberate destruction of one’s own body tissue without suicidal intent, occurs at an alarming rate among both clinical and community samples. This study consisting of 508 students in sixth, seventh, and eighth grades had 3 main goals. First, it examined rates of NSSI among a younger age group than has previously been focused on and explored potential differences in rates by gender, grade, and ethnicity. Second, it explored potential correlates regarding health-risk behaviors (eating pathology, substance use, and risky sexual behavior) and expected to find more health-risk behaviors occurring among those engaging in NSSI. Third and lastly, it examined changes in perceptions of mother and father relationship quality after engaging NSSI. This study extends the examination of a functional approach to a community sample and allows for an opportunity to examine the phenomenology of NSSI in a younger sample that had previously been studied. Tables, figure, and references