Factors: Self-Injury risks

Certain factors may increase the risk of self-injury, including:

• Being female. Females are at greater risk of self-injuring than males are.
• Age. Most people who self-injure are teenagers and young adults, although those in other age groups also self-injure. Self-injury often starts in the early teen years, when emotions are more volatile and teens face increasing peer pressure, loneliness, and conflicts with parents or other authority figures.
• Having friends who self-injure. People who have friends who intentionally harm themselves are more likely to begin self-injuring.
• Life issues. Some people who injure themselves were neglected, or sexually, physically or emotionally abused, or experienced other traumatic events. They may have grown up and still remain in an unstable family environment, or they may be young people questioning their personal identity or sexuality.
• Mental health issues. People who self-injure are more likely to be impulsive, explosive and highly self-critical, and be poor problem-solvers. In addition, self-injury is commonly associated with certain mental disorders, such as borderline personality disorder, depression, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder and eating disorders.
• Excessive alcohol or drug use. People who harm themselves often do so while under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs.