Introduction: Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) and suicidal behavior (SB) co-occur and are usually framed in a self-harm continuum, being differentiated according to several factors, including suicidal intent (SI). The current study aims to clarify if SI is present when adolescents engage in NSSI and, in addition, if these behaviors' severity and diversity predict the presence of SI when adolescents engage in NSSI.
Methods: Data were collected through the administration of a self-report questionnaire to 295 adolescents and young adults aged between 13 and 22 years, with a lifetime prevalence of NSSI.
Results: Results revealed that a large proportion of participants who reported no previous SB still report SI when engaging in NSSI. Regarding the diversity and severity of NSSI, both variables predicted the presence of SI during NSSI.
Conclusion: These findings demonstrate that, although NSSI does not have underlying SI, it is often present when individuals practice these behaviors.
Keywords: Adolescents; Diversity; Non-suicidal self-injury; Severity; Suicidal intent.
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