Faculty Publications

Personality And Non-Suicidal Deliberate Self-Harm: Trait Differences Among A Non-Clinical Population

Document Type

Article

Keywords

Five-factor model, Personality, Self-harm

Journal/Book/Conference Title

Psychiatry Research

Volume

169

Issue

1

First Page

28

Last Page

32

Abstract

Limited information is available on understanding why particular individuals engage in non-suicidal deliberate self-harm (DSH), especially among non-clinical populations. An array of personality traits, such as those included in the five-factor model of personality, may further an understanding of DSH. The purpose of this study was to examine personality traits among non-clinical groups with or without a history of DSH. College students (N = 238) completed self-report measures of DSH and personality. Both multivariate (MANOVA, discriminant analysis) and univariate (ANOVA) statistical procedures supported the hypothesis that those with a history of DSH (n = 59) had significantly higher levels of neuroticism and openness to experience, and significantly lower levels of agreeableness and conscientiousness. Contrary to expectations, there were no differences in extraversion between the two groups. These results indicate personality differences among those with a history of DSH, which with additional research, may prove to be risk factors or targets of intervention for future DSH or collateral problems. © 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Department

Department of Psychology

Original Publication Date

8-30-2009

DOI of published version

10.1016/j.psychres.2008.06.005

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