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Lisa Van Hove, PhD, from Vrije Universiteit Brussel (Brussels University) in Belgium reveals the prevalence and characteristics of self-injury and self-harm among older adults (ages 60+). Season 5 | Episode 61 Podcast/ Season 5 | Episode 61 Self-Harm in Older Adults May 30, 2025 with Dr. Lisa Van Hove Self-Harm in Older Adults with Dr. Lisa Van Hove 00:00 / 01:04 Just how prevalent is self-injury among older adults, specifically those ages 60 and over? Do the types and methods they use differ from those who self-injure at other ages? What about the reasons they give for self-injuring? In this episode, Dr. Lisa Van Hove from Vrije Universiteit Brussel (Brussels University) is the first to reveal the prevalence of self-injury and self-harm among older adults. To read Dr. Van Hove's info brief on NSSI in older adults through the Cornell Research Program on Self-Injury and Recovery Resources (SIRR), visit https:// www.selfinjury.bctr.cornell.edu/perch/resources/older-adult-fact-sheet-1.pdf . To see Dr. Van Hove's publications, including those about self-injury among older adults, click here . Connect with Dr. Van Hove on LinkedIn here . Below is some of her research and that of others referenced in this episode: Van Hove, L., Baetens, I., Hamza, C., Dierckx, E., Haekens, A., Fieremans, L., & Vanderstichelen, S. (2023). NSSI in older adults . In E.E. Lloyd-Richardson, I. Baetens, & J. Whitlock (Eds.), The Oxford handbook of nonsuicidal self-injury (pp. 572-592). Oxford University Press. Van Hove, L., Baetens, I., & Vanderstichelen, S. (2025). Psychogeriatric experts’ experiences with risk factors of suicidal and non-suicidal self-injury in older adults: A qualitative study . Qualitative Research in Medicine and Healthcare , 8 (1). Van Hove, L., Baetens, I., & Vanderstichelen, S. (2024). Conceptualizing self-harm through the experiences of psychogeriatric experts . Psychopathology , 57 (4), 277-285. Van Hove, L., Nieuwenhuijs, B. M., Vanderstichelen, S., De Witte, N., Gorus, E., Stas, L., & Baetens, I. (2025). Biopsychosocial profile of community-dwelling older adults at risk for direct and indirect self-harm . Clinical Gerontologist , 1–12. Van Hove, L., Facon M., Baetens, I., Vanderstichelen, S., Dierckx, E., Van Alphen, S.P.J., Stas, L., & Rossi, G. (2025). Development of an at-risk personality profile for (in)direct self-harm engagement in older age . Journal of Personality Disorders, 39 (3), 240-262. Murphy, E., Kapur, N., Webb, R., Purandare, N., Hawton, K., Bergen, H., Waters, K., & Cooper, J. (2012). Risk factors for repetition and suicide following self-harm in older adults: multicentre cohort study . British Journal of Psychiatry, 200 (5), 399-404. Martin, G., & Swannell, S. (2016). Non-suicidal self-injury in the over 40s: Results from a large national epidemiological survey . Epidemiology (Sunnyvale), 6 (5), 266. Choi, N. G., DiNitto, D. M., Marti, C. N., & Choi, B. Y. (2016). Nonsuicidal self-injury and suicide attempts among ED patients older than 50 years: comparison of risk factors and ED visit outcomes . The American Journal of Emergency Medicine, 34 (6), 1016-1021. Ose, S. O., Tveit, T., & Mehlum, L. (2021). Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) in adult psychiatric outpatients – A nationwide study . Journal of Psychiatric Research, 133 , 1-9. Wiktorsson, S., Strömsten, L., Renberg, E. S., Runeson, B., & Waern, M. (2022). Clinical characteristics in older, middle-aged and young adults who present with suicide attempts at psychiatric emergency departments: A multisite study . The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 30 (3), 342-351. Gratz, K. L., & Tull, M. T. (2025). Acceptance-based emotion regulation therapy: A clinician’s guide to treating emotion dysregulation & self-destructive behaviors using an evidence-based therapy drawn from ACT & DBT . Context Press. Previous Next

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.

ISSS Rising Stars About /Awards / ISSS Rising Stars Recognizing Potential ISSS Rising Stars are dedicated early-career researchers, clinicians, or advocates whose work demonstrates potential and commitment to make a significant contribution to the field and to the lives of people with lived experience. 2023 Rising Star Read more Dr Kathryn Fox Dr Fox is an Assistant Professor in the clinical child psychology Ph.D. Program at the University of Denver, where she also directs the Fox Lab in the Department of Psychology. Rising Stars of ISSS 2020 Dr. Brooke Ammerman Dr. Ammerman is a Professor at the University of Notre Dame (United States) where she is Director of the Affect, Suicide, Self-Injury, and Social Triggers (ASSIST) Lab and Co-Director of the Notre Dame Suicide Prevention Initiative. Read more...

2023 - 2024 Home / Collaborative Research Program / NSSI and STB Prediction Proximal mechanisms of NSSI predicting suicide thoughts and behaviors Mentor/s: Jennifer Muehlenkamp 2024 - 2025 Project Overview Affiliation: University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire Project description: Very little is known about the short-term temporal course of NSSI in relation to suicidal behavior, and information about possible mechanisms that facilitate, or reduce, transition to suicidal behavior among those engaging in NSSI is sparse. This project aims to provide data filling gaps in the suicide research by conducting a micro-longitudinal study of transdiagnostic processes believed to interact with and influence risk for suicidal behavior conferred by NSSI. Using the Integrative-Motivational-Volitional (IMV) theory of suicide as a guide, the current study proposes that variability in sleep quality and emotional reactivity will interact with self-perceptions and perceived social connectedness to influence NSSI features and mechanisms of risk to predict near-term, acute, change in suicidal behavior. Young adults reporting current NSSI and suicidal ideation will wear actigraph watches (to obtain sleep data) and complete daily diary assessments of the study variables along with weekly lab-based assessment for 4 weeks, and complete 1- and 2-month follow-ups. Multi-level modeling analyses will examine the moderating effects of sleep and emotional reactivity on the proposed risk-processes to influence NSSI and suicidal behaviors over days, weeks, and months. The results will provide novel and essential information to the field of suicidology by advancing current knowledge about acute risk for suicide and have potential to significantly impact clinical practice by identifying specific, modifiable markers of risk that can translate into clinical targets for assessment and intervention strategies. Applicants should have the following skills: Multi-level modeling /SEM / longitudinal data analytic statistical knowledge, scientific writing experience Junior researcher responsibilities: Assist with data analysis and write up of manuscript; Can conceptualize own research question/project from existing data and co-create a manuscript Anticipated outcome(s) for junior researcher: Peer-reviewed manuscript, Conference presentation(s) Time commitment: Approximately 1 day per week for 4-6 months Application Deadline: June 1, 2024 Apply Now

Jennifer Muehlenkamp, PhD, from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire describes the difference between suicidal and nonsuicidal self-harm and explains how we came to use the term “nonsuicidal self-injury” (NSSI). She also discusses what characteristics of self-injury place someone at greater risk for attempting suicide. Season 1 | Episode 2 Podcast/ Season 1 | Episode 2 Nonsuicidal Self-Injury vs. Suicide Jan 1, 2021 with Dr. Jennifer Muehlenkamp Nonsuicidal Self-Injury vs. Suicide with Dr. Jennifer Muehlenkamp 00:00 / 01:04 Today there is still confusion among a lot people about the differences between suicide and nonsuicidal self-injury. Although nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a form of self-harm and a risk factor for attempting suicide, the two behaviors should not be confused and those who self-injure should not be assumed to be “suicidal.” In this episode, we discuss how the onset, frequency, method, and function of self-injury are related to risk for suicide attempt. Previous Next

Nani Kim, RN, at the University of Texas at Austin shares a review of research on help-seeking behaviors for self-injury and self-harm. Season 5 | Episode 63 Podcast/ Season 5 | Episode 63 Help-Seeking for Self-Injury Jul 25, 2025 with Nani Kim, RN Help-Seeking for Self-Injury with Nani Kim, RN 00:00 / 01:04 In this episode, Nani Kim, RN from the University of Texas at Austin talks all things help-seeking for nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI). This includes common reasons people give for choosing to seek help for self-harm, common forms of help-seeking behavior for NSSI, how often individuals who self-injure seek help for their self-injury, why they choose to seek help, what types of help they receive, and what happens when they seek help for self-injury. Below are a few references from this episode: Kim, N., Young, C. C., Kim, B. R., Rew, L., & Westers, N. J. (in press). Help-seeking behaviors in adolescents and young adults who engage in nonsuicidal self-injury: An integrative review . Journal of Adolescent Health . Advance online publication (free to access through August 7, 2025). Nadler, A. (1987). Determinants of help seeking behaviour: The effects of helper’s similarity, task centrality and recipient’s self esteem . European Journal of Social Psychology, 17 (1), 57-67. Mackesy, C. (2019). The boy, the mole, the fox and the horse: Inspiring conversations on hope, love and personal growth . HarperOne. Previous Next

Lindsay Taliaferro, PhD, from the University of Central Florida discusses the prevalence of self-injury among individuals who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning (LGBTQ); common risk and protective factors; and the intersectionality of race, sexual minority status, and gender diversity among those who self-injure and self-harm. Season 1 | Episode 15 Podcast/ Season 1 | Episode 15 Self-Injury Among LGBTQ Individuals Jul 2, 2021 with Dr. Lindsay Taliaferro Self-Injury Among LGBTQ Individuals with Dr. Lindsay Taliaferro 00:00 / 01:04 Why is it important to talk about nonsuicidal self-injury among LGBTQ individuals? Just how prevalent is self-injury among those who identify as LGBTQ? And are there differences in rates of self-injury among sexual minority individuals (e.g., Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual) compared to those that are Transgender or Gender Diverse? In this episode, Dr. Lindsay Taliaferro discusses risk and protective factors for engaging in self-injury among LGBTQ individuals. She also tackles the intersectionality of race, sexual minority status, and gender diversity among those who self-injure and self-harm. Below are links to some of her research and the resources referenced in this episode: Rogers, M. L., & Taliaferro, L. A. (2020). Self-injurious thoughts and behaviors among sexual and gender minority youth: A systematic review of recent research . Current Sexual Health Reports, 12 , 335–350. Taliaferro, L. A., McMorris, B. J., Rider, G. N., & Eisenberg, M. E. (2019). Risk and protective factors for self-harm in a population-based sample of transgender youth . Archives of Suicide Research, 23 (2), 203-221. Taliaferro, L. A., McMorris, B. J., & Eisenberg, M. E. (2018). Connections that moderate risk of non-suicidal self-injury among transgender and gender non-conforming youth . Psychiatry Research, 268 , 65-67. GLSEN's National School Climate Survey (2019) . Hatch Youth - the Montrose Center in Houston: https://www.montrosecenter.org/hatch-youth/ The Trevor Project: https://www.thetrevorproject.org/ Follow Dr. Westers on Instagram and Twitter (@DocWesters). To join ISSS, visit itriples.org and follow ISSS on Facebook and Twitter (@ITripleS). The Psychology of Self-Injury podcast has been rated #5 by Feedspot in their " Top 15 Clinical Psychology Podcasts You Must Follow in 2021 " and by Welp Magazine in their " 20 Best Injury Podcasts of 2021 ." Previous Next

Home / Awards / Invited Fellow / Dr. Janis L. Whitlock Dr. Janis L. Whitlock Previous Dr. Janis Whitlock is a Senior Research Scientist and Director Emerita at the Cornell Research Program on Self-Injury and Recovery (United States). For over two decades, she has been a pioneering force in understanding the epidemiology, context, and recovery process of self-injury, especially among adolescents and college students. Her work has illuminated how social, developmental, and digital factors influence self-injury, and she has been at the forefront of translating research into accessible educational materials for clinicians, parents, and young people. Her work has been foundational in understanding self-injury among adolescents and young adults, particularly in community and online contexts. Dr. Whitlock is deeply respected for her compassionate approach, her emphasis on resilience and recovery, and her lifelong commitment to empowering individuals and communities to respond to self-injury with understanding rather than stigma. Next ISSS Fellow | 2022

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

A mother shares her experience of when she learned about her daughter's self-injury and self-harm and how she responded as a parent. Season 1 | Episode 6 Podcast/ Season 1 | Episode 6 A Mother's Perspective of Her Daughter's Self-Injury Feb 12, 2021 A Mother's Perspective of Her Daughter's Self-Injury 00:00 / 01:04 Imagine receiving a phone call from your child's school expressing concern that your child might be suicidal. This is Dee's story. In this episode she shares about how she was able to differentiate between self-harm of suicide and nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI), support her daughter through the process, connect her to therapy, and what advice she has for parents in similar circumstances. Follow Dr. Westers on Instagram and Twitter (@DocWesters). To join ISSS, visit itriples.org and follow ISSS on Facebook and Twitter (@ITripleS). Previous Next

Janis Whitlock, PhD, from Cornell University and Senior Advisor for The JED Foundation explains how caregivers with lived experience of self-injury can navigate conversations with their children about their own history of self-harm, and how parents can manage heightened limits to confidentiality when their child who self-injures turns 18 while in therapy. Season 5 | Episode 65 Podcast/ Season 5 | Episode 65 Parenting with Lived Experience of Self-Injury Sep 26, 2025 with Dr. Janis Whitlock Parenting with Lived Experience of Self-Injury with Dr. Janis Whitlock 00:00 / 01:04 Two topics are covered in this episode: (1) how parents with lived experience of nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) can navigate conversations with their children about their own scarring and wounds, and (2) how parents (with or without lived experience) can navigate conversations about self-injury with their young adult children when they turn 18. Dr. Whitlock is emerita research faculty at Cornell University, a former Associate Director of the Bronfenbrenner Center for Translational Research, and the founder and director of the Self-Injury & Recovery Resources (SIRR) research program, which serves as one of the best and most comprehensive collations of online resources about self-injury: www.selfinjury.bctr.cornell.edu . It is a go-to resource for parents, therapists, friends, family members, schools, other caring adults, the media, and individuals with lived experience of self-injury. Dr. Whitlock is also Senior Advisor for The JED Foundation. To learn more about The JED Foundation, visit https://www.jedfoundation.org/ . Below is some of the work referenced in this episode: Whitlock, J., & Lloyd-Richardson, E. E. (2019). Healing self-injury: A compassionate guide for parents and other loved ones . Oxford University Press. Taliaferro, L. A., Jang, S. T., Westers, N. J., Muehlenkamp, J. J., Whitlock, J. L., & McMorris, B. J. (2020). Associations between connections to parents and friends and non-suicidal self-injury among adolescents: The mediating role of developmental assets . Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 25 (2), 359-371. Kibitov, A. A., & Mazo, G. E. (2023). Genetics and epigenetics of nonsuicidal self-injury: A narrative review . Russian Journal of Genetics, 59 (12), 1265-1276. Dawkins, J., Hasking, P., & Boyes, M. (2021). Knowledge of parental nonsuicidal self-injury in young people who self-injure: The mediating role of outcome expectancies . Journal of Family Studies, 27 (4), 479–490. Previous Next

Lexy from Australia shares her story of lived experience of self-injury and stigma and how it has influenced her work in researching self-injury and self-harm. Season 1 | Episode 13 Podcast/ Season 1 | Episode 13 Lived Experience of Self-Injury & Stigma: Lexy's Story May 21, 2021 Lived Experience of Self-Injury & Stigma: Lexy's Story 00:00 / 01:04 In this episode, Lexy details her experience of engaging in nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) and the stigma she has encountered as a result of self-injury and self-harm. Lexy is the current Student Representative of the International Society for the Study of Self-Injury (ISSS) and a PhD candidate working in the area of self-injury stigma. She is currently working on multiple projects looking at how self-injury stigma is experienced and how it is portrayed in the media. She has recently published a paper outlining how researchers can better understand self-injury stigma: Stigma and nonsuicidal self-injury: Application of a conceptual framework (Staniland, Hasking, Boyes, & Lewis, 2021) Follow Dr. Westers on Instagram and Twitter (@DocWesters). To join ISSS, visit itriples.org and follow ISSS on Facebook and Twitter (@ITripleS). BIG NEWS! The Psychology of Self-Injury podcast has been rated #5 by Feedspot in their " Top 15 Clinical Psychology Podcasts You Must Follow in 2021 ." Click here to see the full Top 15 list. Previous Next