Lifetime Frequency of Nonsuicidal Self-Injury and Its Association with Depressive Symptoms and Suicidality in Young Adults

Background: Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) is prevalent among young adults and is strongly associated with psychiatric symptoms and an increased risk of suicide.The frequency of NSSI may serve as an important clinical indicator of symptom severity and patterns of self-harm across an individual's lifetime.Methods: Data were drawn from a community-based mental health survey of young adults aged 19-39 years in Jeju, Korea.A total of 886 participants were categorized into three groups based on lifetime NSSI frequency: no NSSI, nonrepetitive NSSI, and repetitive NSSI.Depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, alcohol use problems, and suicidality were assessed and compared across groups.Results: Participants with repetitive NSSI exhibited significantly higher levels of depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and suicidality than those in the nonrepetitive NSSI and no NSSI groups (all p<0.001).Alcohol use problems were also more pronounced in both NSSI groups than in the no NSSI group.Conclusion: Lifetime NSSI frequency appears to be a clinically meaningful marker of psychiatric severity in young adults.Repetitive NSSI is particularly associated with more severe internalizing symptoms and increased suicide risk, highlighting the importance of routinely assessing NSSI frequency in both community and clinical contexts.