Digital Self-Harm: Examining Emotionally Unstable Personality Traits and Non-Suicidal Self-Injury as Predictors

Digital self-harm (DSH) is an area within non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) and self-harm that has not been extensively studied. An individual who engages in digital self-harm makes an anonymous account to create the impression that they are a victim of cyberbullying or cyberharassment. Research shows that there are several risk factors for NSSI, one of which includes borderline personality disorder (BPD), so the current study examined whether emotionally unstable personality traits and NSSI predicted digital self-harm. 112 freshmen at a large midwestern university completed an anonymous internet-based survey measuring: engagement in NSSI, engagement in DSH, and emotionally unstable personality traits. 61 (54%) students self-reported engaging in NSSI, and 17 (15%) students self-reported engaging in DSH. The results indicated that individuals who engaged in NSSI were significantly more likely to engage in DSH; females were more likely to engage in both NSSI and DSH compared to males. However, the study did not find that all BPD personality traits correlated with individuals who engaged in DSH. Individuals who engaged in more types of DSH scored significantly higher on Dysregulated Anger, Despondence, Behavioral Dysregulation, Affective Dysregulation, Fragility, Dissociative Tendencies, Manipulativeness, Oppositional, and Rashness. Personality facets were similar among DSH and NSSI. These results suggested a relationship between DSH, NSSI, and BPD features. The higher percentage of reported DSH and NSSI in the current study (as compared to past studies) may be related to the increased stress experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Future considerations should include DSH behavior for a more holistic approach when assessing self-harm amongst at-risk adolescents and young adults.