# How Does the Public Perceive the Functions of Non‐Suicidal Self‐Injury? An Analysis by Gender and Age Group

## TL;DR

The study explores how the public in Japan perceives the reasons behind non-suicidal self-injury, finding differences based on gender and age.

## Contribution

The study identifies four key perceived functions of NSSI and reveals gender and age differences in public perception.

## Key findings

- Public perceptions of NSSI include negative emotion regulation, interpersonal effects, avoidance of obligations, and positive mood improvement.
- Women and younger people are more likely to agree with emotion regulation as a function of NSSI.
- Middle-aged and older adults are more likely to associate NSSI with avoiding obligations.

## Abstract

Non‐suicidal self‐injury (NSSI) is a prevalent phenomenon among adolescents and poses significant public health concerns. Research has identified various functions of NSSI. However, public perceptions of these functions remain unclear. This cross‐sectional study explored public understanding of the functions of NSSI and examined the relations between these perceptions and demographic factors of gender and age group. A nationwide online survey was conducted with 2000 Japanese adults (mean age 44.6 years, SD = 14.3) to assess their agreement with 20 statements about NSSI functions using a six‐point scale. After conducting an exploratory factor analysis of the functions of NSSI, the study performed a two‐factor analysis of variance with the factor scores for each function as the dependent variable and gender and age group as the independent variables. The exploratory factor analysis revealed a four‐factor structure: (1) negative emotion regulation, (2) interpersonal effect, (3) avoidance of obligations, and (4) positive mood improvement. A series of two‐way analyses of variance revealed gender and age differences, with women and younger individuals being more likely to endorse emotion regulation functions, and middle‐aged and older adults more likely to support avoidance functions. Regarding interpersonal relationship factors, no statistically significant results were observed for either gender or age group. The findings suggest the importance of understanding public perceptions of NSSI functions for targeted psychological education and awareness. Future research should directly compare public perceptions with the perceptions of those who engaged in NSSI, considering other demographic factors.

Non‐suicidal self‐injury (NSSI) is a widespread public health concern, yet how the general public understands its functions has remained unclear. In a cross‐sectional online survey of 2000 Japanese adults, exploratory factor analysis of agreement with 20 NSSI‐function statements revealed four underlying dimensions—negative emotion regulation, interpersonal effect, avoidance of obligations, and positive mood improvement—and two‐way ANOVAs showed that women and younger individuals more strongly endorsed emotion regulation while middle‐aged and older adults favored obligation‐avoidance, with no demographic differences for interpersonal effects. These results underscore the importance of demographic‐sensitive psychoeducational initiatives and suggest future studies directly compare public perceptions with those of individuals who engage in NSSI.