Citation

Jarvi SM, Swenson LP, Batejan KL. J. Am. Coll. Health 2017; 65(5): 306-312.

Affiliation

Suffolk University.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/07448481.2017.1312410

PMID

28362222

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This research examines potential differences in social network use and motivation for social network use by non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) status. PARTICIPANTS: 367 (73% female; Mage = 20.60) college students were recruited in November-December 2011.

METHODS: A random sample of 2,500 students was accessed through a university registrar to recruit students interested in an online survey assessing NSSI and various health-related behaviors.

RESULTS: Social network use and motivations for social networks did not differ by NSSI status.

CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that it is not patterns of use or motivation to use social networks that could lead to concern about online behavior (i.e., behavior increasing risk of future NSSI) among those with NSSI history. Rather, future preventative and intervention efforts should address the NSSI-related content that is available online, since this is unregulated, often explicit, and commonly includes "pro-NSSI" content that may be problematic and increase risk among vulnerable individuals.

Language: en

Keywords

Internet; NSSI; Non-suicidal self-injury; college students; online; social network