Abstract
Individuals experiencing non-suicidal self-injurious (NSSI) thoughts only are greatly overlooked by current research. This
investigation aimed at determining how three groups of university students differed in their reported quality of childhood
relationships with parents, and histories of physical and sexual abuses. These groups included students experiencing only
NSSI thoughts (n = 126), students engaging in NSSI actions (n = 90), and students exhibiting neither (n = 1,080). Results showed that individuals experiencing NSSI thoughts only, and those engaging in NSSI actions reported poorer
relationships with parents and more physical abuse than the No NSSI group; however, NSSI thoughts and NSSI action groups had
similar outcomes to one another for most variables. These findings suggest that individuals experiencing only NSSI thoughts
share similar negative childhood environments associated with engagement in NSSI action and that they should be included in
future research, particularly investigations aimed at identifying protective factors that could prevent them from engaging
in NSSI.
investigation aimed at determining how three groups of university students differed in their reported quality of childhood
relationships with parents, and histories of physical and sexual abuses. These groups included students experiencing only
NSSI thoughts (n = 126), students engaging in NSSI actions (n = 90), and students exhibiting neither (n = 1,080). Results showed that individuals experiencing NSSI thoughts only, and those engaging in NSSI actions reported poorer
relationships with parents and more physical abuse than the No NSSI group; however, NSSI thoughts and NSSI action groups had
similar outcomes to one another for most variables. These findings suggest that individuals experiencing only NSSI thoughts
share similar negative childhood environments associated with engagement in NSSI action and that they should be included in
future research, particularly investigations aimed at identifying protective factors that could prevent them from engaging
in NSSI.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-12
- DOI 10.1007/s10964-011-9643-9
- Authors
- Jodi Martin, School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, 136 Jean-Jacques Lussier Rm. 3001, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada
- Jean-François Bureau, School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, 136 Jean-Jacques Lussier Rm. 3001, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada
- Paula Cloutier, Mental Health Research, Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Ottawa, ON Canada
- Marie-France Lafontaine, School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, 136 Jean-Jacques Lussier Rm. 3001, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada
- Journal Journal of Youth and Adolescence
- Online ISSN 1573-6601
- Print ISSN 0047-2891