The prevalence of Nonsuicidal Self-Injury (NSSI) in a representative sample of the German population

Abstract

BackgroundNon-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a proposed new “condition for further study” in the DSM-5. To date no prevalence data has been available on this diagnostic entity from a representative sample of the general population.MethodsA representative sample of the German population (N = 2509, mean age = 48.8 years, SD = 18.1, female 55.4 %) completed the NSSI section of the German version of the Self-Injurious Thoughts and Behaviors Interview (SITBI-G).ResultsA history of NSSI at least once during lifetime was reported by 3.1 % of all participants, with higher lifetime prevalence rates in younger age groups. DSM-5 NSSI disorder criteria were met by 0.3 %. The most common function of NSSI was automatic negative reinforcement (e.g. to alleviate negative feelings).ConclusionsTo the best of our knowledge, this is the first study reporting rates for the proposed NSSI category in DSM-5 from a representative sample of the general population. In comparison to findings from community samples of adolescents, adults seem to have lower lifetime prevalence rates of NSSI, thus making it necessary to emphasize prevention and treatment efforts in younger age groups.

The DSM-5 nonsuicidal self-injury disorder among incoming college students: Prevalence and associations with 12-month mental disorders and suicidal thoughts and behaviors

“…This shows that assessment of NSSI-D might help identify realistic proportions-that is, an estimated 32 individuals out of more than 4,000 incoming students each year in our university-needing specialized care for NSSI. In line with previous studies (Plener et al, 2016;Zetterqvist, 2015), NSSI-D was more common among females.…”

Affective instability and impulsivity predict nonsuicidal self-injury in the general population: a longitudinal analysis

“…Lower prevalence estimates are associated with the use of adult samples, community-based rather than clinical or university-based samples, face-to-face interviews, NSSI measures with a yes/no format, and NSSI measures that do not specify multiple NSSI methods [32], all of which characterized the NPMS and could have accounted for the lower prevalence reported here. Therefore, it is not surprising that a recent study found a lifetime prevalence of 3.1% in a representative sample of the German population who responded to a household survey similar to the NPMS [33]. …”

Childhood Adversity and Psychophysiological Reactivity to Pain in Adolescent Nonsuicidal Self-Injury

“…The prevalence for single events of NSSI in nonclinical samples of adolescents is estimated around 17% [3], and prevalence estimates for NSSI disorder (according to DSM-5 diagnostic criteria) are reported at 5% among nonclinical samples of adolescents, and between 50 and 80% among psychiatric inpatients in this age group [4][5][6]. Adverse childhood experiences, such as maternal antipathy and neglect, are associated with the development, frequency, and severity of NSSI in a clinical sample of adolescents [7].…”