The Association Between Masculinity and Nonsuicidal Self-Injury

Several known risk factors for nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI), such as negative emotionality and deficits in emotion skills, are also associated with masculinity. Researchers and clinicians suggest that masculine norms around emotional control and self-reliance may make men more likely to engage in...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inAmerican journal of men's health Vol. 12; no. 1; pp. 30 - 40
Main Authors Green, Jonathan D., Kearns, Jaclyn C., Ledoux, Annie M., Addis, Michael E., Marx, Brian P.
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01.01.2018
SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
SAGE Publishing
Subjects
Adolescent
Age Distribution
Chronic Disease
Ethnic Groups - statistics & numerical data
Female
Humans
Incidence
Male
Masculinity
Risk Assessment
Risk factors
Sampling Studies
Self destructive behavior
Self-Injurious Behavior - epidemiology
Self-Injurious Behavior - psychology
Sex Distribution
Students
Surveys and Questionnaires
Universities
Young Adult
self-harm
masculinity
gender
nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI)
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Summary:Several known risk factors for nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI), such as negative emotionality and deficits in emotion skills, are also associated with masculinity. Researchers and clinicians suggest that masculine norms around emotional control and self-reliance may make men more likely to engage in self-harm. Masculinity has also been implicated as a potential risk factor for suicide and other self-damaging behaviors. However, the association between masculinity and NSSI has yet to be explored. In the current study, a sample of 912 emerging adults from two universities in the Northeastern United States completed a web-based questionnaire assessing adherence to masculine norms, engagement in NSSI, and known risk factors for NSSI (demographics and number of self-injurers known). Stronger adherence to masculine norms predicted chronic NSSI (five or more episodes throughout the life span) above and beyond other known risk factors. Adherence to masculine norms was related to methods of NSSI. Clinical implications are discussed, including discussions of masculine norms in treatment settings. Future research should examine what specific masculine norms are most closely linked to NSSI and other self-damaging behaviors.
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ISSN:1557-9883
1557-9891
DOI:10.1177/1557988315624508