Non-suicidal Self-Injury Among Transgender and Gender Non-conforming Persons: A Narrative Synthesis

The current narrative synthesis examined non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) among transgender and gender non-conforming (TGNC) persons within the gender minority stress framework (GMSF). The narrative synthesis included a total of 14 peer-reviewed quantitative studies searched across PsycINFO, PubMed, and CINAHL assessing the association between at least one component from the GMSF and NSSI among TGNC people. The included articles indicated that experiencing distal and proximal stressors were associated with increased rates of NSSI in both the past year and over the lifetime. Social support reduced lifetime or NSSI in the past year. Implications for combining a strengths-based approach to NSSI treatment in the larger socio-ecological context are discussed.