Lay summary
This project will explore an important gap in health knowledge, leading to better understanding of two leading causes of physical and psychological health problems in our young people: self-injury (NSSI) and outward-directed injury (ODI). More than 50% of our young people engage in NSSI. It is linked to psychological disorders and is a risk factor for suicide. Its key function is dealing with uncomfortable emotions. Recent research into ODI also highlights emotion regulation, and background factors may be the same as for NSSI. If there are shared functions, risk and protective factors, then prevention and intervention strategies developed for NSSI could be applicable to ODI. This research will determine the differences and commonalities across NSSI and ODI. Data will be collected from 16-25 year-olds in three phases: an online survey; in-depth interviews, and real-time reports (EMA; see below). This could transform the way services respond to both NSSI and ODI.