“Boy Crisis” or “Girl Risk”? The Gender Difference in Nonsuicidal Self-Injurious Behavior Among Middle-School Students in China and its Relationship to Gender Role Conflict and Violent Experiences

Abstract

Purpose:We attempted to test if there were gender differences in nonsuicidal self-injurious (NSSI) behaviors among Chinese middle-school students, and analyze the impact of gender role conflict and violent experiences on these behaviors among middle-school students of different genders.Method:Based on the survey data from seven middle schools in Xi’an region of China, the gender difference in NSSI behaviors and its associated factors were analyzed in this study.Results:There was no significant gender difference in NSSI behaviors among middle-school students; however, female middle-school students were more likely to experience gender role conflicts while male students were more likely to experience all kinds of violence earlier. Gender role conflicts and violent experiences can explain the prevalence of NSSI behaviors by gender, to some extent.Conclusions:The hypothesis on gender patterns of “boy crisis” or “girl risk” on NSSI prevalence was not verified; however, a “girl risk” for gender role conflicts and a “boy crisis” in violent experiences were found. The gender role conflicts were significantly associated with NSSI prevalence among middle-school students to some extent; however, this relationship was adjusted by variables of violent experiences. The different variables of violent experiences were the important predictors of NSSI prevalence among male and female middle-school students with specific contents varying across genders.

The impact of internet use frequency on non-suicidal self injurious behavior and suicidal ideation among Chinese adolescents: an empirical study based on gender perspective

“…The results revealed that the prevalence of NSSI behaviors was similar among both males (17.2%) and females (19.4%), yet no significant gender difference was found. This finding is consistent with studies in other contexts [ 9 , 69 ]. Existing studies in western countries stated that the gender difference in the prevalence of NSSI among clinical samples is more signicant than that in community samples [ 54 ], but our analysis results are different: there is no gender difference in the prevalence of NSSI among clinical samples.…”

Impact of Negative Life Events and Social Support on Nonsuicidal Self-Injury Among Chinese Middle School Students

“…From the descriptive results, the prevalence of NSSI among male students is 37.6% and that of female students is slightly higher (39.1%) than that of male students, which is not only higher than the survey results of Western countries (Burke et al, 2015; Ross & Heath, 2002; Whitlock, et al, 2007a, b), but higher than the survey results among Chinese middle school students (Wang & Wang, 2009; Xiao et al, 2008), but gender difference did not show too much significance. This finding is consistent with the conclusion of Yang, indicating that the hypothesis of “boy crisis” or “girl risk” of NSSI behavior of middle school students in China has not yet been confirmed (Yang & Xin, 2018).…”

The Impact of Internet use frequency on Non-suicidal self injurious behavior and Suicidal Ideation among Chinese adolescents: An empirical study based on Gender perspective

“…The results revealed that the prevalence of NSSI behaviors was similar among both males (17.2%) and females (19.4%), yet no signi cant gender difference was found. This nding is consistent with studies in other contexts [71,72]. Existing studies in western countries stated that the gender difference in the prevalence of NSSI among clinical samples is more signicant than that in community samples [56], but our analysis results are different: there is no gender difference in the prevalence of NSSI among clinical samples.…”