ABSTRACT

Developmental differences in early childhood and gender socialization can influence how children process stressful events, potentially resulting in patterns of poor coping. NSSI is often a behavior that helps those who engage in NSSI to regulate strong and overwhelming emotions or identity and developmental crises that arise throughout the lifespan. Strategies that address these regulatory concerns and unhealthy coping patterns are introduced in a way that accounts for diversity in beliefs and experiences. Various forms of self-injury are part of cultural rituals for some groups, while other groups stigmatize the behavior in relation to broader stigma associated with mental healthcare. Gender, race, ethnicity, and sexual orientation have all been shown to influence the process of self-injury in various ways, some of which include: presentation, function, method of self-injury, help-seeking behaviors, and treatment. These influences will be addressed in relation to the assessment and conceptualization of NSSI at various developmental stages. Case scenarios initially presented in part one are again included with relevant culture and diversity concerns linked to the professional literature to highlight the impact of each of these developmentally influential contextual factors.