Emotional and Behavioral Effects of Participating in an Online Study of Nonsuicidal Self-Injury

Abstract

In this study, we experimentally assessed whether participating in online research about nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) may produce iatrogenic effects. A sample of 847 college students was randomly assigned to either an experimental condition ( n = 439), in which they were exposed to questionnaires assessing NSSI, or a control condition ( n = 408) that did not include NSSI questions. Immediate effects were evaluated with pre- and postmeasures, and 3 weeks later, 472 participants (68%) participated in a follow-up assessment of reactions, NSSI behavior, and urge to self-injure. Overall, results indicated that responding to detailed questions about NSSI did not produce iatrogenic effects immediately or over the follow-up period and may have contributed to positive outcomes. The positive findings largely held true for participants who reported engaging in different severities of NSSI behavior. There do not appear to be significant short-term adverse or iatrogenic effects of participating in detailed, online NSSI research. Implications for researchers and ethics review boards are discussed.