NON-SUICIDAL SELF-INJURY AND ITS CORRELATION WITH MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS AMONG MEDICAL STUDENTS IN SAUDI ARABIA: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY
Abstract
Background: Research on non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) among medical students has gained increasing attention since the latter half of the 20th century, as these students face significant stress and mental health challenges. A previous systematic review found that the overall prevalence of NSSI in medical students was around 11%, with rates ranging from 3% to 35% across different studies. These findings highlight the urgent need for understanding and addressing the factors contributing to NSSI within this vulnerable population. This study explores the prevalence, characteristics, and underlying factors of NSSI and ideation among medical students in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), providing insights into potential interventions and support mechanisms tailored to this unique cultural and academic environment. This study aims to investigate the prevalence, characteristics, and underlying factors of NSSI among medical students and its correlation with mental health disorders in Saudi Arabia.
Methodology: A cross-sectional study involved male and female medical students from the 2nd to the 6th year at various universities across Saudi Arabia. Participants survey using a structured questionnaire with validated instruments assessing NSSI behaviors, psychological distress, coping mechanisms, and demographic information.
Results: This cross-sectional study among 1,040 medical students in Saudi Arabia. Findings revealed that 37.5% of participants had a history of mental disorders, predominantly anxiety (42.6%). Among the 176 self-harming individuals, 83.1% engaged in NSSI without suicidal intent, primarily using methods like craving (50.0%) and ingesting harmful substances (45.5%). Notably, emotional regulation and a desire for social acceptance were significant motivators for self-harm. Statistical analysis showed significant correlations between self-injury behaviors and factors such as age, gender, and academic achievement.
Background: Research on non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) among medical students has gained increasing attention since the latter half of the 20th century, as these students face significant stress and mental health challenges. A previous systematic review found that the overall prevalence of NSSI in medical students was around 11%, with rates ranging from 3% to 35% across different studies. These findings highlight the urgent need for understanding and addressing the factors contributing to NSSI within this vulnerable population. This study explores the prevalence, characteristics, and underlying factors of NSSI and ideation among medical students in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), providing insights into potential interventions and support mechanisms tailored to this unique cultural and academic environment. This study aims to investigate the prevalence, characteristics, and underlying factors of NSSI among medical students and its correlation with mental health disorders in Saudi Arabia.
Methodology: A cross-sectional study involved male and female medical students from the 2nd to the 6th year at various universities across Saudi Arabia. Participants survey using a structured questionnaire with validated instruments assessing NSSI behaviors, psychological distress, coping mechanisms, and demographic information.
Results: This cross-sectional study among 1,040 medical students in Saudi Arabia. Findings revealed that 37.5% of participants had a history of mental disorders, predominantly anxiety (42.6%). Among the 176 self-harming individuals, 83.1% engaged in NSSI without suicidal intent, primarily using methods like craving (50.0%) and ingesting harmful substances (45.5%). Notably, emotional regulation and a desire for social acceptance were significant motivators for self-harm. Statistical analysis showed significant correlations between self-injury behaviors and factors such as age, gender, and academic achievement.
Conclusion: Our findings demonstrated 17 % of participants reporting Non-Suicidal Self-Injury. This study contributes to the growing body of literature on NSSI among medical students, highlighting the prevalence and correlation with mental health disorders, particularly anxiety. The motivations for self-injury identified in this study underscore the need for targeted interventions that address emotional regulation and social support.
