The Association Between Masculinity and Nonsuicidal Self-Injury

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Sociology
• Public Health

Background:

• Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) shares risk factors with masculinity, including negative emotionality and emotion regulation deficits.
• Masculine norms may increase self-harm risk due to emphasis on emotional suppression and self-reliance.
• Masculinity is a potential risk factor for suicide and other self-damaging behaviors, but its link to NSSI is unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between adherence to masculine norms and nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) in emerging adults.
• To determine if masculine norms predict NSSI independently of known risk factors.
• To explore the relationship between masculine norms and the methods used in NSSI.

Main Methods:

• A web-based questionnaire was administered to 912 emerging adults at two Northeastern US universities.
• Participants completed measures assessing adherence to masculine norms, engagement in NSSI, and established NSSI risk factors.
• Statistical analyses examined the predictive relationship between masculine norms and NSSI.

Main Results:

• Stronger adherence to masculine norms significantly predicted chronic NSSI (≥5 lifetime episodes).
• This association remained significant after controlling for other known risk factors for NSSI.
• Adherence to masculine norms was also related to specific methods of NSSI.

Conclusions:

• Adherence to masculine norms is a significant risk factor for chronic NSSI among emerging adults.
• Clinical settings should consider discussing masculine norms when addressing NSSI.
• Further research is needed to identify specific masculine norms most strongly associated with NSSI and other self-harm behaviors.