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Non-Suicidal Self-Injury Among Ethnically and Racially Diverse Emerging Adults: Do Factors Unique to the Minority Experience Matter?

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Abstract

This study investigated clinically-significant non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), defined as five or more lifetime episodes of NSSI, among racially and ethnically diverse emerging adults with a focus on factors unique to the minority experience. Seven hundred and nine emerging adults at an urban university, 85 % of whom were non-White, completed questionnaires assessing NSSI, racism, ethnic identity, Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) characteristics such as impulsive behavior, emotion and interpersonal dysregulation and identity disturbance, suicidal behavior, and current depression and anxiety symptoms. Overall, 13 % of the sample reported a history of clinically-significant NSSI. Asian and White emerging adults reported significantly higher rates of NSSI than Hispanics and Blacks. Logistic regression analyses revealed positive relationships between BPD characteristics and NSSI and current anxiety and NSSI, which were not attenuated by increased ethnic identification. Experience with racism did not predict NSSI in the multivariate model. These findings are discussed as they pertain to current understanding and prevention of NSSI among racial and ethnic minority emerging adults.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, 524 West 59th Street Rm 10.63.19, New York, NY, 10019, USA

    Megan S. Chesin, Aviva N. Moster & Elizabeth L. Jeglic

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  1. Megan S. Chesin
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  2. Aviva N. Moster
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  3. Elizabeth L. Jeglic
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Correspondence to Elizabeth L. Jeglic.

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Chesin, M.S., Moster, A.N. & Jeglic, E.L. Non-Suicidal Self-Injury Among Ethnically and Racially Diverse Emerging Adults: Do Factors Unique to the Minority Experience Matter?. Curr Psychol 32, 318–328 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-013-9185-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-013-9185-2

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