Association of socioeconomic status with nonsuicidal self-injury and suicidal ideation in young Korean adults

Abstract

Objective: Although nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) in youth is an important mental health concern worldwide, limited studies have investigated its sociodemographic correlates in early adulthood. This study explored associations between socioeconomic status (SES) and self-harm behaviors, including NSSI and suicidal ideation, in a community-based sample of young adults. Methods: A total of 414 Korean young adults engaged in NSSI and 200 controls completed online self-report questionnaires assessing sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, using logistic regression to estimate the odds ratio and analyzed risk factors for NSSI, especially the independent influence of SES on NSSI risk. Multivariate regression was performed to identify the role of socioeconomic disadvantage in suicidal ideation in NSSI people. Results: Logistic regression showed that low SES significantly increased NSSI risk. Multivariable regression also revealed that lower SES was related to more severe suicidal ideation in young adults with NSSI after controlling for gender and the higher-severity NSSI index, including the number of NSSI methods used and NSSI intrapersonal functions. Conclusions: This is the first study to directly address socioeconomic gradients of a general population of young adults with NSSI and its effects, and socioeconomic status should be considered preemptively when defining suicide risks of this group and when intervening in self-injurious behaviors.

Good or bad? The influence of filial piety belief on nonsuicidal self-injury and suicide risk among young gay men in China.

“…The mean number of NSSI methods used was 2.2 ( SD = 1.8). There was no association of NSSI with age or family income, despite previous studies suggesting there are differences in the prevalence of NSSI in terms of age stages and economic levels (Mancinelli et al, 2022; Park et al, 2022). As for suicide risk, 37.5% ( n = 109) of the participants reported that they had thought about killing themselves at least once in the past year, 22.0% ( n = 64) have talked to others about their suicidal ideation in the past year, and only 26.4% ( n = 77) reported that they would never be likely to attempt suicide someday in the future.…”

Nonsuicidal Self-Injury

“…According to the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, as of 2020 there were 146.6 ED visits in the United States for nonfatal intentional self-harm injuries per 100,000 people ages 10 years and older 1. Self-injury among middle and high school students has also been noted in other countries, including China,2 Korea,3 New Zealand,4 and Norway 5. In the literature, common search terms associated with NSSI include self-injury ,6, 7 self-harm ,3, 8, 9 and nonsuicidal self-harm 10.…”

“…Self-injury among middle and high school students has also been noted in other countries, including China,2 Korea,3 New Zealand,4 and Norway 5. In the literature, common search terms associated with NSSI include self-injury ,6, 7 self-harm ,3, 8, 9 and nonsuicidal self-harm 10. Other terminology related to self-injurious behavior includes cutting, deliberate self-harm, self-mutilation, nonsuicidal self-directed violence , and parasuicide .…”

“…Because NSSI is included in the DSM-5-TR as a condition for which future research is needed, no official risk factors are noted 13. However, studies have reported that NSSI may occur more often among people who have certain mental health conditions,23, 26 are younger in age,10 are at a socioeconomic disadvantage,3 and have a history of being bullied because of their perceived sexual identity 24…”

“…Because NSSI is included in the DSM-5-TR as a condition for which future research is needed, no official risk factors are noted. 13 However, studies have reported that NSSI may occur more often among people who have certain mental health conditions, 23,26 are younger in age, 10 are at a socioeconomic disadvantage, 3 and have a history of being bullied because of their perceived sexual identity. 24 Although NSSI is associated with damage to one's body without suicidal intent, 13 some people who engage in NSSI also attempt suicide, so it's important for nurses to assess suicide risk in all patients who have a history of NSSI.…”