Anticipated Stigma Toward Self-Injury in Young Adulthood: A Thematic Analysis

Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a significant concern on college campuses. Anticipated judgments and negative responses from others may prevent young adults from disclosing NSSI and obtaining help. As this area is poorly understood, the current study qualitatively explored the views of 279 college students (aged 18–25) with a history of NSSI regarding their peers’ perceptions of NSSI. Participants completed an online survey, including open-ended questions addressing anticipated NSSI stigma. These were thematically analyzed, yielding three themes: Perceived Greater Acceptance, Perceived Limited Understanding, and Persistent Stereotypes and Stigma. Results have implications for anti-stigma initiatives and lay groundwork for further work in this new area.