Focal Interest
Focal Interest
AI Summary of Peer-Reviewed Research

This page presents an AI-generated summary of a published research paper. The original authors did not write or review this article. [See full disclosure ↓]

Publishing process signals: MODERATE — reflects the venue and review process. — venue and review process.

Visible and concealed NSSI differ in functions and patterns

Two people sit facing each other in a bright, modern apartment or office space with white walls and contemporary furniture; one person on the left wears a beige/tan cardigan over dark clothing, the other on the right wears a light green long-sleeve shirt and dark pants, both appearing engaged in conversation with notebooks or materials visible.
Research area:Clinical psychologyClinical PsychologySuicide and Self-Harm Studies

What the study found

The study identified three distinct patterns of anatomical location and visibility in people who self-injure without suicidal intent. The most concealed group was linked to stronger intrapersonal functions and expectancies, while the most visible group was linked to greater self-injury frequency, broader bodily involvement, and stronger anti-suicide functions.

Why the authors say this matters

The authors conclude that these findings advance understanding of non-suicidal self-injury location and offer a theoretically meaningful way to conceptualize anatomical location. They suggest the results have implications for assessment and intervention in non-suicidal self-injury.

What the researchers tested

The researchers used an online self-report questionnaire completed by 1,103 participants with a lifetime history of non-suicidal self-injury, with a mean age of 24.5 years and 83.4% female participants. They analyzed the data using latent class analysis, then used post hoc ANOVAs and chi-square tests to compare groups.

What worked and what didn't

Three latent classes emerged: a mostly concealed class (32.6%), a mostly visible class (20.2%), and an intermediate class (47.2%). The concealed class showed the greatest endorsement of intrapersonal functions and expectancies. The visible class was not associated with stronger interpersonal functions, but was associated with higher frequency of self-injury, more body areas involved, and stronger anti-suicide functions.

What to keep in mind

The abstract does not describe specific limitations. The findings come from an online self-report sample, so the summary is limited to the characteristics reported in that sample.

Key points

  • Three latent classes of non-suicidal self-injury location and visibility were identified.
  • The most concealed class showed the strongest intrapersonal functions and expectancies.
  • The most visible class was linked to higher self-injury frequency, broader bodily involvement, and stronger anti-suicide functions.
  • The visible class was not associated with stronger interpersonal functions.
  • The study used an online self-report questionnaire from 1,103 participants with lifetime NSSI.

Disclosure

Research title:
Visible and concealed NSSI differ in functions and patterns
Authors:
Katrina Hon, Mark Boyes, Takeshi Hamamura, Eric Lim, P. Lewis Stephen, Penelope Hasking
Institutions:
Curtin University, Murdoch University, University of Guelph
Publication date:
2026-04-06
DOI:
10.1016/j.jad.2026.121747
OpenAlex record:
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AI provenance: This post was generated by OpenAI. The original authors did not write or review this post.

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