(PS7-60) Unveiling Stigmatization in Non-suicidal Self-injury: The Influence of Gender & Self-injury Methods

Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a self-directed coping behavior involving the deliberate injuring of oneself—devoid of suicidal intent and outside the scope of socially sanctioned practices (e.g., tattoos; piercings; APA, 2022). NSSI is currently listed in the 'other conditions that may be a focus of clinical attention' section of the DSM-5-TR (APA, 2022), thus encouraging further research on this population. To address this imperative, the present mixed methods experiment utilizes the Attribution Model of Public Discrimination (AMPD; Corrigan et al., 2003) to discern the extent NSSI subpopulations are differentially stigmatized on the basis of their self-injury method and gender. This model is designed to elucidate stigmatic affect and behavioral reactions directed toward individuals enduring various mental health concerns. The AMPD has a corresponding measure (Attribution Questionnaire Short Form; AQ-27) to account for stigmatic constructs involving blame, anger, callousness, an unwillingness to help, dangerousness, fear, avoidance, segregation, and coercion. The present experiment performed a 2 (target gender: female or male) x 2 (participant gender: female or male) x 3 (self-injury method: cutting, burning, or self-hitting) multivariate factorial analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) to analyze the impact these factors have on stigma according to the nine subscales comprising the AMPD model. Qualitative information was also collected and will be discussed in the results. This research endeavors to unveil the complex interplay between gender and NSSI self-injury methods in shaping stigmatizing attitudes, thereby delineating the challenges encountered by NSSI populations of diverse backgrounds, affording insight into their lived experiences, and informing more equitable clinical interventions.