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. Public Policy Relevance Statement Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) can be life-threatening and places significant financial burden on the health care system in the United States. This meta-analysis found that religiosity may serve as a protective factor against self-harm behaviors and should thus be included in standard risk assessment practices in medical and mental health settings.