A preliminary examination of the specificity of the functions of nonsuicidal self-injury among a sample of university students.

To examine whether individuals who engage in NSSI report different coping behaviors and regulatory needs compared to a non-injuring comparison group, we surveyed 1107 undergraduates using a Functions Index. Individuals who engaged in NSSI indicated greater use of coping behaviors for anti-dissociation, interpersonal influence, and self-punishment than the non-NSSI group.