Nonsuicidal self-injury in sexual minorities in Korea: the mediating role of intrapersonal functions and depression

Abstract

A growing body of literature indicates that individuals belonging to sexual minority groups are at an increased risk of severe nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) behaviors. This study aimed to examine the potential factors mediating sexual minority status and more severe NSSI behaviors. A total of 296 self-identified sexual minorities and 206 heterosexuals who reported engaging in at least five-lifetime NSSI episodes were recruited online. The participants completed an online survey that included demographics, measures of depressive symptoms, and the frequency and functions of NSSI behaviors. Serial mediation analyses indicated that the association between sexual minority status and more frequent NSSI behaviors was mediated by depressive symptoms and intrapersonal functions of NSSI. Further analyses revealed that NSSI functions may vary by minority status, with individuals reporting a sexual minority status showing more frequent endorsements of intrapersonal functions. This study’s findings contribute to the literature by elucidating the complex role of clinical factors that mediate the relationship between sexual minority status and increased risk of engaging in more frequent NSSI behaviors. Our findings underscore the importance of developing a comprehensive perspective on NSSI behaviors, including the characteristics of NSSI functions and current clinical symptoms, as well as disadvantaged backgrounds, such as minority status.

Keywords:

• Sexual minority
• nonsuicidal self-injury
• self-harm
• depression
• intrapersonal function

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korea Government (MSIT) (2022R1A2C2011467) and the Hyundai Motor Chung Mong-Koo Foundation.

Notes on contributors

Minkyung Yim

Minkyung Yim is a Ph.D. candidate in psychology at Korea University and is a licensed clinical psychologist. Her research interests include nonsuicidal self-injury and other self-harm/suicide-related behaviors among sexual and gender minorities and public mental health.

Gyumyoung Kim

Gyumyoung Kim is a Ph.D. candidate in Psychology at Korea University. Her research interests center on emotion regulation and associated difficulties, particularly nonsuicidal self-injury. She investigates the influence of psychosocial factors on its occurrence and persistence, as well as the neural mechanisms underlying self-harm.

Eunjin Jo

Eunjin Jo received her master’s degree from Korea University and is currently working as a clinical psychology resident. Her research interests include understanding how emotional dysfunction affects psychiatric disorders.

Ji-Won Hur

Ji-Won Hur is an Associate Professor in the School of Psychology at Korea University and Director of the Psychopathology & Social Neuroscience Lab. Dr. Hur’s work focuses primarily on investigating sociodemographic and psychopathological risk factors for clinical problems, such as depression and self-harm behaviors, and on reducing health disparities among individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds.