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

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Publication: Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health
31 March 2023

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.

Résumé

L’étude portait sur l’automutilation non suicidaire (ANS), la recherche d’aide et les réponses culturelles à l’ANS parmi un groupe diversifié d’étudiants universitaires au Canada. La prévalence de l’ANS était mesurée à partir d’un échantillon d’étudiants (n = 5 450 ; 63,9 % de femmes) au sein duquel un échantillon d’étudiants issus de minorités ethniques avec une histoire d’automutilation (n = 101 ; 81,2 % de femmes) était criconscrit afin d’étudier l’utilisation des services et les réponses culturelles en lien avec l’ANS. Les personnes originaires d’Asie, d’Asie du Sud-Est, blanches et d’origine multiraciale étaient plus à risque d’ANS. Trois catégories de réponses au recours à l’ANS sont ressorties : en lien avec la stigmatisation, avec un état émotionnel ou encore comme réponses structurantes. Les implications concernant les différences culturelles en termes de recherche d’aide et de comportements par rapport à l’ANS sont mises en évidence.

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cover image Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health
Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health
Volume 42Number 1May 2023
Pages: 15 - 40

History

Version of record online: 31 March 2023

Key Words

  1. non-suicidal self-injury
  2. ethnic/racial minorities
  3. help-seeking behaviours
  4. cultural responses

Mots-clés

  1. automutilation non suicidaire
  2. minorités ethniques/raciales
  3. comportements de recherche d’aide
  4. réponses culturelles

Authors

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Maryam Gholamrezaei
Nancy L. Heath
Liane Pereira
Central Washington University
Jack De Stefano

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