Functions of Non-Suicidal Self-Injury in Late Adolescence: A Latent Class Analysis

Abstract

This study employed latent class analysis utilizing an array of features of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) in order to identify distinct subgroups of self-injurers. Participants were 359 undergraduates with NSSI history. Indicator variables were lifetime and last year frequency rates, number of methods, scarring, pain during self-injury, and functions of NSSI. Analyses yielded mild/experimental NSSI, moderate NSSI, moderate multiple functions NSSI, and severe NSSI groups, endorsing low, moderate, moderate multiple functions, and high frequencies of self-injury and presence of functions, respectively. Following class assignment, groups differed on self-esteem, social support and belongingness, internalizing symptoms, suicidal ideation and behaviors, and additional NSSI constructs. These subtype analyses emphasize matching phenotypes of NSSI to specific interventions considering dimensions of clinical functioning.