A scoping review: Nonsuicidal self-injury during emerging adulthood for a more empathetic understanding

Abstract

DSM-V Part III’s inclusion of nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) as a new mental disorder necessitates more research into the detailed mapping study of emerging adults (EA) as a new developmental stage identified as a high-risk group for NSSI. This scoping review aims to explore literature studies and inform the evidence of nonpsychiatric NSSI in the EA period (aged 18 to 29) for a more empathetic understanding in developing assessment, intervention, and communication between parties. The articles about DSH/SH/SI/NSSI on EA were published between at least the last ten years, reporting on empirical data/peer-reviewed/literature reviews from trusted databases. After selection by inclusion–exclusion criteria and the review process by the PRISMA-P method, nine were included in this study. The NSSI related to reasons, motivations, and its factors, along with implications for empathetic support, is presented.