Nonsuicidal Self-Injury, Mental Health Service Use, and Cultural Perspectives Among Ethnically Diverse University Students

Abstract

We aimed to investigate non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), help-seeking, and cultural responses to NSSI among a diverse sample of university students in Canada. NSSI prevalence was examined in a sample of students (n = 5,450; 63.9% women), which yielded a follow-up sample of ethnic minority students with a history of self-injury (n = 101; 81.2% women), to study service use and cultural responses to NSSI. Asian, Southeast Asian, White, and multiracial backgrounds were at the most risk for NSSI engagement. Three categories of responses to NSSI emerged: responses embedded in stigma, emotional, and constructive responses. Implications for cultural differences in help-seeking and attitudes towards NSSI are discussed.