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Review
. 2025 Oct;128(5):3075-3092.
doi: 10.1177/00332941231197161. Epub 2023 Aug 28.

Function of Nonsuicidal Self-Injury Among Iranian University Students: A Factor Structure Analysis

Maryam Gholamrezaei  1 , Nancy Heath  2 , Guillaume Elgbeili  3 , Liane Pereira  4 , Leili Panaghi  5 , Laurianne Bastien  2
Affiliations
Review

Function of Nonsuicidal Self-Injury Among Iranian University Students: A Factor Structure Analysis

Maryam Gholamrezaei et al. Psychol Rep. 2025 Oct.

Abstract

Emerging non-Western studies indicate new patterns in the functionality of nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) warranting further investigation in different cultures. The current study aims to investigate the function (etiology and underlying mechanism) of NSSI among a sample of university students in Tehran, Iran, using the Inventory of Statements About Self-Injury (ISAS). The ISAS was administered to 63 students who self-injured (52.4% female; Mage = 22.15). An exploratory factor analysis using the Bayesian estimation method was conducted. A three-factor model of NSSI functions emerged including an intrapersonal factor representing within-self functions (e.g., self-punishment); a social identification factor consisting of functions establishing a sense of self/identity (e.g., peer bonding); and a communication factor representing an influencing/communicating functionality (e.g., marking distress). Intrapersonal and social identification factors were associated with greater severity of NSSI method and increased anxiety. Findings support the use of the ISAS among an Iranian sample and revealed additional patterns beyond the commonly referenced two-factor model (intrapersonal and interpersonal functions) in a culturally novel sample. The results are situated within the sample's sociocultural context.

Keywords: Iran; Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI); function; inventory of statements about self-injury (ISAS); university students.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of Conflicting InterestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Scree plot for the exploratory factor analysis of the 13 ISAS functions.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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