Understanding Non-suicidal Self-injury in the Autistic population: A Lived Experience Perspective

Research has demonstrated that autistic people are significantly more likely to experience mental health difficulties and engage in self-harming behaviours, including non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI).

Literature Review
A systematic review and thematic synthesis explored how autistic people and their parents/caregivers experience and make sense of their NSSI. A systematic search of three databases identified nine eligible studies, which were analysed using Thomas and Harden’s (2008) guidance, resulting in three themes. Findings demonstrate that autistic people use NSSI to cope with high levels of emotions and overstimulation, and this has subsequent impact on the autistic individual and their family.

Empirical Review
There is little research exploring the first-person perspective of autistic adults who engage in NSSI, so a qualitative study was conducted exploring this group’s experience of NSSI. Six semi-structured interviews were conducted and analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (Smith et al., 2009). Results demonstrated that autistic people often grow up feeling different and misunderstood, asking for help but nobody appears to hear, leading to NSSI to cope with their feelings. NSSI is used as an emotional regulation strategy, providing predictability and a sense of calm. There was an internal conflict present around disclosure of NSSI; sharing it was a way to demonstrate distress where words failed, but it was often met with shame and stigma.