Research Request: The SHInE project: Injuring oneself, injuring others: Distinctions and commonalities in non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) and outward-directed injury (ODI)
Research Summary:
The SHInE (Self Harm and Injury Exploration) project is investigating the differences, commonalities and relationships between NSSI (self-harm) and ODI (‘lashing out’). If there are commonalities in function, risk and protective factors, then prevention and intervention strategies developed for NSSI could be applicable to ODI. We’re undertaking research with young people (16-25), and professionals who work with them. Professionals may participate in an online survey, and/or in-depth interviews. Young people may participate in: an online well-being survey, interviews, and/or a momentary survey. This project will lead to better understanding of two leading causes of health problems in our young people.
Participation Criteria:
Professionals (key informant) group: works with young people who engage in injurious behaviour (e.g. social workers, youth workers, counsellors). Young people group: aged 16-25, has engaged in injurious behaviour.
Invitation to Participate:
Tēnā koe, Talofa Lava, Bula Vinaka, Malo e Lelei, Fakalofa Lahi Atu, Nihao, Namaste, Kia orana, as-salām alaikum.
This research is about injurious behaviours that some young people engage in. The project is led by Dr Cate Curtis, of the School of Psychology at Waikato University. Cate has worked at the University for 15 years, and was a youth worker before going to university. She’s NZ-born of Dutch descent.
This information sheet is to tell you more about one aspect of the research, an online survey. You can find out about the other aspects of the research, such as interviews, here: https://theshineproject2023.wordpress.com/
Who could take part?
Professionals such as youth workers, social workers, psychologists, school counsellors, and allied professionals, who work with young people who engage in deliberately injurious behaviour. Cate’s previous research has been on selfharm, anti-social behaviour and suicide among young people, and these are the sorts of problems we’re particularly interested in finding out more about. We hope that through better understanding problems and the ways young people cope with them, it will be easier to offer helpful services and support.
The overarching aim of this project is to better understand the overlaps and differences between deliberate nonsuicidal self-injury (often referred to as ‘self-harm’) and outward-directed injury (e.g. lashing out at other people or objects). You can find out more about the project here: SHInE Project website. The project will help shed light on injurious behaviours that young people engage in and help us to better understand how to provide support – we’re also collecting information from young people who engage in injurious behaviours.
What does the survey involve?
As a key informant, you will be asked about a variety of related issues, such as your understanding of underlying factors, the functions of injurious behaviours, and treatments, therapies and other ways of supporting young people who engage in injurious behaviours. It will take you 10 - 15 minutes to complete the survey. Depending on your responses, any questions that aren’t relevant to you will be skipped.
This survey addresses a number of topics that may be uncomfortable to think about. Please keep in mind that you may choose to not answer a question or questions and may stop your participation at any time by simply closing your web browser.
The information gathered will be analysed (anonymously) and written up for publication in academic journals and conference presentations and presentations to interested people and groups.
If you have any further questions about the nature of this research please email the research administrator, Dr Nicky Kanade: nkanade@waikato.ac.nz or the research leader Dr Cate Curtis: cate.curtis@waikato.ac.nz
Confidentiality:
It is up to you whether you give us any identifying information, however, there are a number of reasons why you might choose to do so. In each case, your identifying information will be stored separately from the survey data:
- If you would like to receive a summary of findings upon completion of survey analysis (this will be available later this year)
- If you would like to receive a copy of the full project report (this will be available in 2026) and/or request a presentation of the findings for your organisation
- If you would like to receive a gift-card as an acknowledgement of your time
- If you would like to take part in an interview to elaborate on the information provided in the survey.
If you prefer not to give identifying information, you are still very welcome to complete the survey. Please note that it will not be possible to withdraw your information later, because it will not be possible to identify it.
Who are the researchers?
There are several people on the research team in addition to Dr Curtis, including an Honours student, Eden Worsley, who will be involved in this survey.
Eden was born and raised in Tauranga and has had an interest in psychology from a very young age; reading psychology books in the library at 12 years old. She has a Bachelor of Social Science; Double Majoring in Psychology and Sport Health and Human Performance, and is currently studying a Bachelor of Science with Honours in Psychology at Waikato University. Eden is passionate about helping others be the best versions of themselves, and plans to use her academic studies to do this in a clinical setting.
Abby Parsons will be conducting interviews, to go into issues raised in the survey in more depth. Abby is studying for a Masters in Community Psychology at the University of Waikato.
Some other things you should know:
You can contact the research team by emailing: shine.project@waikato.ac.nz
This research has been approved by the University of Waikato Health Research Ethics Committee; application number: HREC(Health)2024#09. If you have concerns about the ethics of this research, you can contact the committee secretary: humanethics@waikato.ac.nz
The first screen of the online survey contains key information about the project, similar to the material above. By continuing past this initial screen, you will be indicating that your understand and give your consent for the information you enter to be used for this research.
Date published: 06 May 2024
Date closes: 06 June 2025
Please see the project website for additional information: https://theshineproject2023.wordpress.com/
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