No pain, no gain: a scoping review of self-injurious behaviour without suicidal intention among athletes

Considering the impact of stressors and high expectations typical in elite sports, research has revealed the occurrence of not only indirect but also direct self-injurious behaviours among athletes in recent years. The aim of this scoping review is to systematically map the available literature on nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) within athlete samples, identify potential gaps, and highlight opportunities for further research in the field. Following the PRISMA Scoping Review extension guidance, our literature search across seven different databases and grey literature identified twelve relevant studies investigating self-injurious behaviour without suicidal intent among athletes. The studies selected in the scoping review provide a vital starting point for understanding the frequency, forms, and motivational factors of NSSI in the context of sport. However, research gaps and additional questions arise regarding (1) the definition of NSSI, (2) the measurement of NSSI, (3) the methods and functions of NSSI among athletes, and (4) distal and proximal risk factors of NSSI. Further quantitative and qualitative research is necessary in the sport context to explore who may be affected by NSSI, how self-harm may manifest, and what functions it may serve among athletes.