Age of Onset as a Risk Factor in Non-Suicidal Self-Injury

Abstract

Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is an increasingly prevalent problem among adolescents and young adults, globally (Muehlenkamp et al., 2012). NSSI is most likely to emerge during early adolescence, although some report a later age of onset. Past research has suggested an early age of onset is associated with more severe NSSI (Whitlock et al., 2009) and poorer overall quality of life (Rotolone & Graham, 2012). A recent study found that an early age of onset was linked to increased frequency, methods of NSSI, and having a suicide plan (Ammerman et al. 2017). These studies have been limited by their emphasis on risk factors, and there remain very few studies examining age of onset as a marker of NSSI severity. It would be worthwhile to see if protective factors also vary between those who begin NSSI at younger vs. older ages. Finding potential differences could inform strengths-based prevention and intervention strategies.