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.
Non-suicidal deliberate self-harm (DSH) has been noted to occur among numerous populations. A heightened prevalence of DSH has been documented among a number of clinical groups including those with depression (Haw et al., 2001), substance use (Haw et al., 2001 and Zlotnick et al., 1999), anxiety disorders (Haw et al., 2001 and Zlotnick et al., 1999), eating disorders (Favazza et al., 1989 and Haw et al., 2001), and personality disorders (Haw et al., 2001, Sansone et al., 1998 and Zanarini et al., 2006). DSH has also been documented among non-clinical populations. Among registered automobile owners with listed telephone numbers, 4% reported DSH in the previous 6 months (Briere and Gil, 1998). Among military recruits, a 4% prevalence rate of DSH was also noted (Klonsky et al., 2003). DSH has been documented among college students with prevalence rates ranging from 12% to 38% (Brown et al., 2007, Favazza et al., 1989 and Gratz et al., 2002). In a large sample of college students (N = 2875), a 12-month prevalence rate of 9.7% and a lifetime prevalence rate of 17.0% were recorded for DSH ( Whitlock et al., 2006). In addition to the consequences of the self-harm behavior itself (e.g., cutting), those with a history of self-harm have disruptions in interpersonal relationships ( Gratz et al., 2002) and an elevated lifetime risk for suicide ( deMoore and Robertson, 1998, Hawton et al., 2003 and Zahl and Hawton, 2004). Given the notable prevalence and consequences among both clinical and non-clinical populations, a question arises as to what factors are associated with DSH.
Personality traits appear to be associated with DSH. In recent years, the role of personality in psychological difficulties has gained more prominence. A series of studies conducted by Robert Krueger and colleagues documented an association between personality and a number of problems/behaviors (Krueger et al., 2000). When a large cohort was followed across several decades, a relationship between personality and mental disorder was demonstrated (Krueger et al., 2000 and Krueger et al., 1996). Krueger et al. (2000) conclude
