Nonsuicidal Self‐Injury and Gender: Patterns of Prevalence, Methods, and Locations among Adolescents

TLDR

Nonsuicidal self‑injury (NSSI) among adolescents is a growing concern, yet little is known about gender and features of this behavior. The study investigated gender differences in NSSI prevalence, methods, and injury locations among 7,126 adolescents, of whom 1,774 reported engaging in NSSI. The authors examined these differences by analyzing self‑reported NSSI behaviors across the sample. Females reported higher NSSI rates, more cutting and scratching, and injuries to arms and legs, whereas males reported more burning and hitting behaviors and injuries to the chest, face, or genitals, highlighting distinct gender patterns.

Abstract

Nonsuicidal self‐injury (NSSI) among adolescents is a growing concern. However, little is known about gender and features of this behavior. Gender differences in NSSI among a sample of 7,126 adolescents were investigated, 1,774 of whom reported having engaged in NSSI. Gender differences in prevalence, method, and location of NSSI were examined. Findings revealed that females reported higher rates of NSSI, more cutting and scratching, and more injuries to arms and legs than their male counterparts. Males reported more burning and hitting‐type behavior, as well as injuries to the chest, face, or genitals. This highlights an interesting pattern of NSSI, which future research should consider to accurately examine NSSI in females and males.