College Students Who Self-Injure: A Study of Knowledge and Perceptions of Self-Injury

Archived data was utilized for the present study which examined self-injurious behaviors in a college population. College students, who engage in non-suicidal self-injury, or NSSI, were expected to evidence a higher knowledge base for the behavior than those who do not. The demographic variables of gender and sexual orientation were predicted to be over represented in the NSSI group. Further, this study examines the perceived riskiness of the behavior in individuals who self-injure, as well as their perceptions of others who engage in NSSI. The survey consisted of four sections: demographics, knowledge ofNSSI, experience with NSSI, and perceptions ofNSSI. Individuals who engage in or have a history of NSSI evidence a higher mean score or better knowledge of the behavior than those who do not. The NSSI population evidences disproportionate numbers of females and individuals with gay, lesbian, and questioning sexual orientations. Further, when examining the perceived riskiness of self-injury, the NSSI group views the behavior as less risky than the non self-injury group. Results are discussed in relation to the need for accurate knowledge about NSSI and additional research directions.

Name thesis:degree_name

Specialist in Education

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Department of Psychology

Year

2010

Author dc:creator

• Clinard, Stacey Edwards

Contributors dc:contributor

• Dr. Elizabeth L. Jones (Director), Dr. Carl Myers, Dr. Frederck Grieve

• self-mutilation
• self-injurious behavior
• school psychologists
• college students and self-injury
• non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI)
• Clinical Psychology
• Counseling Psychology
• Health Psychology
• Personality and Social Contexts
• Psychiatric and Mental Health

Repository record dc:identifier

https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/theses/170

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:digitalcommons.wku.edu:theses-1171