Experiences and Interactions Young Adults Who Participate in Non-Suicidal Self-Injury Perceive as Helpful and Unhelpful

ABSTRACT

Non-suicidal self-injury is a common issue seen by counselors. Fifteen females ranging in age from 18–26 participated in interviews focusing on understanding experiences young adults find helpful in curbing self-injurious behaviors. Participants shared their experiences with NSSI and interactions they considered helpful. Themes and subthemes emerged: responding to emotional pain (a lack of support and coping skills), helpful interactions (presence and understanding, listening, and no judgment), and non-helpful negative interactions (judgment and attempts to eliminate NSSI). Based on participants’ experiences, it may be most helpful for counselors, across theoretical approaches, to focus on basic counseling skills when working with NSSI.

KEYWORDS:

• Non-suicidal self-injury
• self-harm
• theory
• self-injury
• young adult

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Michael Moyer

Michael Moyer is a Professor in the Department of Counseling, Health & Kinesiology at Texas A&M University – San Antonio and Faculty Fellow for Graduate Studies. His primary research interests include ethical decision making, non-suicidal self-injury, and counselor education.

Maria Haiyasoso

Maria Haiyasoso is an Associate Professor in the Professional Counseling Program at Texas State University where she teaches clinical mental health courses and play therapy. She is a facilitator of the Institute for Play Therapy at Texas State University and her clinical experience and research focus includes counseling survivors of child maltreatment and survivors of intimate partner violence.

Sydney Novoa

Sydney Novoa is an Assistant Professor in the Mayborn College of Health Sciences at University of Mary Hardin Baylor.