Nonsuicidal Self-Injury and Religiosity: A Meta-Analytic Investigation

Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a potentially life-threatening behavior with significant public health implications that may potentiate suicide risk. Religiosity has been identified as a significant protective factor against suicide attempts, and more broadly acts as a buffer against negative mental and physical health outcomes. Whether religiosity may reduce risk for NSSI is unclear. To understand the nature of the association between NSSI and religiosity, correlations from 16 samples (total N = 24,767) were computed to evaluate the magnitude and direction of the association between NSSI and religiosity. Gender, age, location, publication status, and method of religiosity measurement were included as moderators. Results from the meta-analysis show a small but significant negative correlation between NSSI and religiosity (r = -0.101, p < .001). The role of ethnicity, identity, social support, and religious coping as contributors to this association are also discussed. Recommendations for future research are offered based on these findings, along with a discussion of clinical implications for assessment and treatment.