Non-Suicidal Self-Injury among University Students in Turkey: The Effect of Gender and Childhood Abuse.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of gender and childhood abuse on non-suicidal self-injurious (NSSI) behaviors among university students in Turkey.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In this study convenience sampling technique was used, the sample consisted of 1000 young adults who were from the eight universities in two big cities; Istanbul and Ankara. Besides with demographic questionnaire, Inventory of Statements about Self-Injury and Childhood Trauma Questionnaire were used.

RESULTS: The prevalence of NSSI was 28.5% and the most prevalent three self-injurious behaviors were wound picking, banging/hitting and pinching self. There was not a gender difference in NSSI behavior frequency but in the type of behavior; males had significantly higher percentages of hitting and burning behavior. Examining the intrapsychic and interpersonal functions of NSSI, "affect regulation" and "toughness" functions were the most used ones among the participants. In terms of gender differences, "revenge" function was used by females more than males. Self-injurers had higher childhood abuse scores on sexual, physical, and emotional abuse and neglect subscales than non self-injurers, and males were significantly more abused than females.

CONCLUSIONS: Accepting childhood abuse as an important predictor of NSSI behavior, screening and assessment of abused children and adolescents can help to prevent the onset of the behavior.