Daily Stressors and Nonsuicidal Self-Injury Urges and Behaviors in Post-Secondary Students

The post-secondary years are marked by heightened stressors and nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) among emerging adults. However, the effects of university stressors on NSSI in daily life remains poorly understood. In the present study, the associations among several university stressors and NSSI urges and behaviors were examined, and the moderating role of gender was explored. The sample included 130 students (72% cisgender women, M age = 17.96), who completed a baseline assessment followed by 14 days of daily entries, yielding 1,625 assessments. Hierarchical linear modeling revealed that total stressor occurrence predicted same-day NSSI urges and behaviors, though gender did not moderate these associations. Interpersonal stressors were linked to same-day NSSI urges and behaviors, as well as next-day urges. Balancing responsibilities were associated with same-day NSSI urges, and low grades predicted both same-day urges and behaviors. These findings emphasize the importance of post-secondary institutions tailoring mental health programs to address students’ unique needs.