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Home / Awards / Invited Fellow / Dr. Laurence Claes Dr. Laurence Claes Previous Dr. Laurence Claes is a Professor at KU Leuven (Belgium) in the Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Head of Clinical Psychology, and Member of the KU Leuven Child & Youth Institute. She is a leading expert in self-injury, personality, and eating disorders whose work explores how identity, perfectionism, and emotional processes relate to self-injurious behaviors, with the goal of improving prevention and intervention. She is deeply respected for her precision, generosity in collaboration, and commitment to advancing global understanding of self-injury. Next ISSS Fellow | 2023

2023 - 2024 Home / Collaborative Research Program / 2023 Current Projects The 2023-24 cycle of the ISSS Collaborative Research Program (CRP) is now closed. Thank you to all who submitted an application 🎉 Outcomes will be communicated soon, and announced after the CRP Symposium at the Conference in Vienna. Applications Closed Item Title Mentored by: This is placeholder text. To connect this element to content from your collection, select the element and click Connect to Data. Read More Item Title Mentored by: This is placeholder text. To connect this element to content from your collection, select the element and click Connect to Data. Read More Item Title Mentored by: This is placeholder text. To connect this element to content from your collection, select the element and click Connect to Data. Read More

NSSI Measures Resources / NSSI Measures Towards Field Consistency Measuring and assessing non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is complex and various measuring systems have been created. To facilitate the use of reliable and validated measures, the ISSS has established a repository of measures available to ISSS members. Assessment tools listed below are included with the permission of the authors. If there is a measure you think should be added to this list, please suggest it! Suggest a Measure Functional Assessment of Self-Mutilation Lloyd et al., 1997 FASM Inventory of Statements About Self-Injury Klonsky & Glenn, 2009 ISAS Self-Injurious Thoughts and Behaviours Interview - Revised Nock et al., 2007 SITBI-R Self-Injurious Thoughts and Behaviours Interview - Short Form Nock et al., 2007 SITBI-SF The Ottawa Self-Injury Inventory Nixon et al., 2015 OSI The Screen for Non-Suicidal Self-Injury Halverson et al., 2022 SNSI

Home / Awards / Invited Fellow / Dr. Nancy L. Heath Dr. Nancy L. Heath Previous Dr. Nancy L. Heath is a Professor of Educational and Counselling Psychology at McGill University (Canada). Her research examines resilience, emotion regulation, and self-injury in adolescents and young adults, with a focus on the school context. Dr. Heath has been a leader in promoting supportive educational environments for students coping with mental health challenges, emphasizing prevention, early intervention, and destigmatization. Her work bridges psychology and education, helping teachers, counselors, and peers respond with understanding and care. As a founding member of ISSS, Dr. Heath is deeply valued for her compassionate leadership, her mentorship of young researchers, and her steadfast advocacy for youth mental health. Next ISSS Fellow | 2023

Online 2020 Conferences / 15th Annual Conference | Online 26th - 27th June, 2020 In 2020, we hosted our 15th Annual International Conference online — our first virtual conference. Conference Schedule Information for Presenters Details Register for the conference Additional registration information NOTE: If you are from a low or low-middle income nation , please email ISSS2026@akademikonferens.se for a 20% discount. In 2020, we hosted our 15th Annual International Conference online — our first virtual conference. With a Keynote from Dr Barent Walsh, an Address from ISSS Rising Star A/Prof. Brooke Ammerman, our first virtual Happy Hour, and series of Expert Panel Discussions, we stayed safe and we stayed connected. Program Abstract Book ISSS 2020 Conference Abstract Book .pdf Download PDF • 1.25MB Keynote Slides Dr Barent Walsh

Home / Awards / Invited Fellow / Dr. Barent W. Walsh Dr. Barent W. Walsh Previous Dr. Barent (Barry) Walsh is a Clinical Social Worker , educator, and one of the earliest and most influential figures in the study and treatment of self-injury. Author of Treating Self-Injury: A Practical Guide , a foundational text for clinicians, Dr. Walsh has trained thousands of professionals in compassionate, evidence-based care. His decades of work have profoundly shaped the clinical understanding of self-injury, emphasizing empathy, validation, and therapeutic skill. Dr. Walsh continues to consult and teach internationally, bridging the gap between research and frontline practice. He is widely admired for his humility, generosity, and unwavering commitment to improving the lives of those with lived experience of NSSI. For many, Barry is a symbol of a true science-based clinician. He epitomizes the spirit of collaboration, approachability, and friendship that is a hallmark of ISSS. Next ISSS Fellow | 2021

About Self-Injury What are the Impacts of Self-Injury? Resources / About Self-Injury / What are the Impacts of Self-Injury? "In the short and long term" Self-injury can have varied short- and long-term impacts on individuals, as well as their friends, partners, and families. Short-term In the short-term, many people report that they feel a sense of calm or relief right after they self-injure. However, some people also feel guilty or ashamed and may worry that others will judge them if they found out. Understandably, this can contribute to feelings of anxiety, shame, and isolation. These feelings can also make it hard to reach out for help. In addition to the emotional impacts, physical impacts include injury to the body that may are may not need medical intervention. Some methods of self-injury carry more risk than others when it comes to injuring more severely than intended. Proper wound care is essential to ensure that injuries do not become infected or cause death. Long-term Over the long-term, people who engage in self-injury may report worsening depression or anxiety, physical consequences such as scarring, and difficulties in their close relationships. Parents and caregivers, teachers, and mental health professionals often feel frightened or confused when they find out a young person is engaging in self-injury. Although self-injury is often associated with emotional and social strain, some studies show that the process of addressing, and healing from, self-injury can bring some relationships closer and enhance self-understanding, especially when the person feels well-supported.

Home / Awards / Invited Fellow / Dr. James J. Gross Dr. James J. Gross Previous Dr. James J. Gross is the Ernest R. Hilgard Professor of Psychology at Stanford University (United States), where he directs the Stanford Center for Affective Science and the Stanford Psychophysiology Laboratory . A pioneer in emotion regulation, he has published over 650 works cited more than 250,000 times, shaping research across psychology and neuroscience. Dr. Gross is also an award-winning teacher and mentor, recognized with Stanford’s highest teaching honor, multiple mentoring awards, and national mentorship prizes. He has received research honors from the APA, the Society for Psychophysiological Research, the Social and Affective Neuroscience Society, and the Grawemeyer Award, as well as honorary doctorates from institutions in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Hong Kong. He is co-founding President of the Society for Affective Science, Founding Co-Editor-in-Chief of Affective Science , and a Fellow of multiple leading scientific organizations. Known for his intellectual rigor and transformative impact, Dr. Gross continues to advance the science of emotion while inspiring students, colleagues, and the global research community. Next ISSS Fellow | 2026

Ben from California shares his story of lived experience of self-injury as a man, including how he views recovery and copes with significant scarring from self-harm wounds. Season 5 | Episode 59 Podcast/ Season 5 | Episode 59 Lived Experience: Ben's Story of Self-Injury Mar 28, 2025 Lived Experience: Ben's Story of Self-Injury 00:00 / 01:04 In this episode, Ben Moroski from Los Angeles, CA, shares his story of lived experience of self-injury that began at age 17 when he and his family found themselves in a religious cult. He articulately communicates therapeutic gems he has learned throughout his journey of recovery while remaining honest with how he manages persisting urges to self-harm. Watch his autobiographical solo one man play about his struggle with self-injury at https://vimeo.com/107909913 , and follow him on Instagram @bmoroski . Previous Next

About Self-Injury What is Self-Injury? Resources / About Self-Injury / What is Self-Injury? "A distinct behaviour" Self-injury is a common yet poorly understand behaviour. Educating ourselves about self-injury starts with being specific about what we mean when we talk about it. There are several key elements to our definition: The harm is intentional or expected Risky behaviors that could result in harm, such as not wearing a seatbelt while driving, or behaviors that can result in accidental harm, such as playing extreme sports, are typically excluded under our definition. The injury results in immediate physical injury Behaviors that do not directly result in physical injury are typically excluded under our definition, even though they may be harmful or dangerous. For instance, food restriction is typically not considered a form of NSSI since the associated physical damage tends to build up over time, instead of happening as soon as the behavior occurs. Is not intended to cause death While suicidal thoughts may be present when someone self-injures, the self-injury itself is not intended to cause death. Some people may use self-injury to manage suicidal urges or intense distress related to suicidal thoughts. Self-injury enacted with suicidal intent is not classified as NSSI. Is not part of social or cultural practices Behaviors that might cause physical damage but are acceptable in our society, or part of a recognized cultural, spiritual or religious ritual, are not considered self-injury. Behaviors such as body modification, body piercing, tattooing, and religious self-flagellation are not usually considered forms of self-injury. A note on terminology The term "NSSI" is often used interchangeably with self-injury - we do so throughout this site; however, it is important to bear in mind that someone may use the term 'self-injury' and be referring to suicidal behaviour. Likewise, while we do not use the term self-harm on this site, many people, including researchers, clinicians, and individuals with lived experience, use this term to refer to NSSI. Regardless of the source, it is important to always ascertain whether the term is being used to refer to suicidal or non-suicidal behaviours. There are some other terms used throughout the field that may or may not refer to NSSI. Self-harm Often, when people think of 'self-harm', what comes to mind is NSSI. However, self-harm is an umbrella term that captures all self-directed injury regardless of intent. In some conceptualisations, self-harm includes indirect injury, such as that caused by reckless behaviours, or psychological injury, such as that caused by self-criticism. While NSSI falls under the self-harm umbrella, ISSS distinguishes NSSI from other behaviors due to the aetiological, functional, and predictive factors that are unique to NSSI. Deliberate self-harm Deliberate self-harm is a term usually used to refer to non-suicidal self-injury; however, it may also encompass any self-inflicted injury, regardless of intent. Determining what is meant when this term is used is important. Self-cutting NSSI is sometimes referred to by focusing on particular methods (e.g., self-cutting). While cutting is among the most widely recognized forms of self-injury, the behavior can take many other forms, including burning, hitting, or scratching. Furthermore, many people who self-injure report using more than method during their lives. Therefore, we recommend avoiding this term when referring to self-injury more broadly, as it dismisses the experiences of many people. Parasuicide, self-mutilation These terms are no longer used in contemporary research and practice, but are occasionally still seen in news media. The term 'parasuicide' links injury to suicide, creating an assumption that self-injury is a suicide attempt. As we know, this is not always that case. The term 'self-mutilation' is stigmatising and harmful, characterising an individual's injury as negative due to its appearance and conjuring judgement and fear (Hasking & Boyes, 2018; Hasking et al., 2019). References Hasking, P., & Boyes, M. (2018). Cutting words: A commentary on language and stigma in the context of nonsuicidal self-injury. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease , 206 , 829-833. https://doi.org/10.1097/nmd.0000000000000899 Hasking, P., Lewis, S. P., & Boyes, M. E. (2019). When language is maladaptive: Recommendations for discussing self-injury. Journal of Public Mental Health , 18 , 148-152. https://doi.org/10.1108/JPMH-01-2019-0014 Klonsky, E. D., Victor, S. E., & Saffer, B. Y. (2014). Nonsuicidal self-injury: What we know, and what we need to know. Canadian Journal of Psychiatry , 59 , 565-568. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F070674371405901101

About Self-Injury Who Self-Injures and Why? Resources / About Self-Injury / Who Self-Injures and Why? "A kaleidoscope of people & reasons" People of all ages, genders, sexualities, ethnicities, and social classes self-injure, though there are factors that may increase the likelihood that an individual will self-injure. Age Current research suggests that self-injury most commonly begins between ages 12 and 15 (Plener et al., 2015), with a second onset peak in early adulthood, around age 20 (Ghandi et al., 2018). Some people first start to self-injure before the age of 12 and some first self-injure much later in life. An age of onset before 12 is associated with more severe self-injury over a longer period of time (Muehlenkamp et al., 2019). Typically rates of self-injury increase through early-mid adolescence and decline in later adolescence. Sex, gender, and sexuality A 2015 meta-analysis of 116 studies showed that girls and women are slightly more likely to self-injure than boys and men, with this gender difference particularly evident in clinical samples. Self-injury is also more common among individuals identifying within the LGBTQIA+ community, with rates 2-3 times that of heterosexual/cisgender individuals (Liu et al., 2019). Culture and race A majority of research to date has focussed on samples comprising mostly Caucasian individuals from Western societies. This has lead to a significant gap in our understanding of NSSI among individuals in underrepresented cultural and racial groups. Current knowledge suggests that self-injury is present across cultures and races. A review by Gholamrezaei et al. (2015) showed there may be differences in age of onset and function, but the differences are complicated by social and economic factors, often brought about by racism. Psychological profile A meta-analysis (Fox et al., 2015) found that risk factors for self-injury include depression, hopelessness, abuse, personality and eating disorders, and impulsivity. People who engage in self-injury report being more sensitive to interpersonal stress or conflict, and experiencing greater difficulty expressing and regulating their emotions. That being said, most people who engage in self-injury do not have a mental illness. Trauma and hardship Experiences of trauma can leave lasting psychological damage resulting in instrusive thoughts, flashbacks, painful emotional states, and dissociation. Self-injury may be used by individuals facing these experineces, as it can be an effective strategy for escaping unwanted experiences and ending dissociation (Smith et al., 2014). Whilst people who have experienced trauma are more likely to engage in self-injury (Liu et al., 2018), it is a myth that all people who self-injure have experienced childhood trauma. Poverty is an additional risk factor for self-injury, with individuals from impoverished backgrounds more likely to self-injure than individuals whose socioeconomic needs were met (Liu, 2021). Why People Self-Injure Self-injury can be difficult to understand, as it appears to go against humans' innate desire to avoid harm. However, the reasons someone might injure themselves on purpose are often similar to the reasons people engage in other behaviours. Individuals who have self-injured often report more than one reason for their self-injury, and their reasons may change over time. The functions of self-injury can be classified into two broad categories: intrapersonal and interpersonal. Self-injury for intrapersonal reasons is more common than for interpersonal reasons (Taylor et al., 2018). Intrapersonal Functions Intrapersonal reasons have to do with an individual's internal state, including thoughts and emotions. There are three main intrapersonal functions: Emotion regulation. The most commonly reported reason to engage in self-injury is to manage emotional experiences. This includes escaping an unwanted emotions or inducing a desired emotion. Typically, these emotions are "negative", such as anger, frustration, sadness, and loneliness, but "positive" emotions such as excitement or pride have also been reported. Thought regulation. This is closely linked to emotion regulation, as our thoughts and emotions are connected. Individuals may use self-injury to control or quieten unwanted thoughts, such as self-criticism or suicidal ideation. Self-punishment. While self-punishment appears to serve an emotion regulation purpose, self-injury for this reason is usually tied to feelings or shame or thoughts about oneself being "flawed" or "bad". Interpersonal Functions Interpersonal functions have to do with an individual's connection with others, and include three main reasons: Communicating distress. Sometimes individuals may not know how to explain their distress to others and use self-injury as a way to communicate their feelings. Social influence. There may be several motivations underlying self-injury as a way to influence others. An individual may engage in self-injury to keep people away from them, to demonstrate their belonging to a social group, to elicit care, or to encourage a change in behaviour. Punishment. Sometimes a person may engage in self-injury as a way to punish another person for something they have or have not done. In these instances, the self-injury is typically communicating distress and serving an emotion regulation function as well. References Fox, K. R., Franklin, J. C., Ribeiro, J. D., Kleiman, E. M., Bentley, K. H., & Nock, M. K. (2015). Meta-analysis of risk factors for nonsuicidal self-injury. Clinical Psychology Review , 42 , 156-167. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2015.09.002 Gandhi, A., Luyckx, K., Baetens, I., Kiekens, G., Sleuwaegen, E., Berens, A., Maitra, S., & Claes, L. (2018). Age of onset of non-suicidal self-injury in Dutch-speaking adolescents and emerging adults: An event history analysis of pooled data. Comprehensive Psychiatry , 80 , 170-178. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.comppsych.2017.10.007 Gholamrezaei, M., De Stefano, J., & Heath, N. (2015). Nonsuicidal self-injury across cultures and ethnic and racial minorities: A review. International Journal of Psychology , 52 , 316-326. https://doi.org/10.1002/ijop.12230 Liu, R. R. (2021). The epidemiology of non-suicidal self-injury: Lifetime prevalence, sociodemographic and clinical correlates, and treatment use in a nationally representative sample of adults in England. Psychological Medicine , 53 , 274-282. https://doi.org/10.1017/S003329172100146X Liu, R. T., Scopelliti, K. M., Pittman, S. K., & Zamora, A. S. (2018). Childhood maltreatment and non-suicidal self-injury: A systematic review and meta-analysis. The Lancet - Psychiatry , 5 , 51-64. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366(17)30469-8 Liu, R. T., Sheehan, A. E., Walsh, R. F. L., Sanzari, C. M., Cheek, S. M., & Hernandez, E. M. (2019). Prevalence and correlates of non-suicidal self-injury among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Clinical Psychology Review , 74 , Article 101783. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2019.101783 Muehlenkamp, J. J., Xhunga, N., & Brausch, A. M. (2019). Self-injury age of onset: A risk factor for NSSI severity and suicidal behavior. Archives of Suicide Research , 23 , 551-563. https://doi.org/10.1080/13811118.2018.1486252 Plener, P. L., Schumachers, T. S., Munz, L., & Groschwitz, R. C. (2015). The longitudinal course of non-suicidal self-injury and deliberate self-harm: A systematic review of the literature. Borderline Personality Disorder and Emotion Dysregulation , 2 , Article 2. https://doi.org/10.1186%2Fs40479-014-0024-3 Smith, N. B., Kouros, C. D., & Meuret, A. E. (2014). The role of trauma symptoms in nonsuicidal self-injury. Trauma, Violence, and Abuse , 15 , 41-56. https://doi.org/10.1177/1524838013496332 Taylor, P. J., Jomar, K., Dhingra, K., Forrester, R., Shahmalak, U., & Dickson, J. M. (2018). A meta-analysis of the prevalence of different functions of non-suicidal self-injury. Journal of Affective Disorders , 227 , 759-769. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2017.11.073

Collaborative Research Program Home / Collaborative Research Program / 2024 Current Projects The 2024-25 cycle of the ISSS Collaborative Research Program (CRP) is now open for applicants! The ISSS CRP provides an opportunity for doctoral students and early career researchers (less than 5 years post PhD) to work with a leading NSSI researcher, who is not their supervisor, on a dedicated research project. Available CRP opportunities are listed below. Apply Now Proximal mechanisms of NSSI predicting suicide thoughts and behaviors Mentored by: Jennifer Muehlenkamp Read More NSSI and other life-threatening behaviours among adolescents in China Mentored by: Moye Xin Read More Validation of a novel Future Imagery Scale and exploration in a sample of YP with and without NSSI Mentored by: Martina Di Simplicio Read More Characteristics of nonsuicidal self-injury disorder in youth and psychometric evaluation of the Clinician-Administered Nonsuicidal Self-Injury Disorder Index Mentored by: Johan Bjureberg Read More Using real-time monitoring to study social interactions and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) cognitions and behaviors among individuals seeking care Mentored by: Glenn Kiekens and Laurence Claes Read More