Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) presents a growing public health challenge, yet empirical evidence within multi-ethnic, non-Western populations often remains fragmented. To address this gap, our recent scoping review mapped the existing literature on NSSI prevalence, risk and protective factors, and psychosocial interventions among the Malaysian population.  

Key findings from our synthesis include:

• Heterogeneity in Prevalence: Reported prevalence varies widely across demographics and measurement tools. School-based adolescent studies report rates between 15.1% and 20.6% using standard self-reports, reaching higher rates when using broader behavioral metrics. Higher prevalence is also observed among university students (20.5%–33.4%) and marginalized groups, including LGBT+ individuals (42.3%).

• Risk vs. Protective Dynamics: NSSI engagement is strongly tied to individual psychological distress, emotional dysregulation, depression, and interpersonal stressors like family conflict and bullying. Conversely, constructs like resilience, self-compassion, and supportive social networks serve as vital buffers, though protective factors remain understudied in local literature.
• Critical Intervention Gap: Only one evaluated psychosocial intervention was identified. A school-based case study examining the Gratitude Blueprint Intervention Module (GBIM). Currently, there is a distinct lack of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or multi-site preventive programs targeting NSSI in Malaysia.

Moving forward, addressing NSSI in Malaysia requires standardized, culturally validated assessment tools, longitudinal designs to establish developmental pathways, and the active evaluation of school and community-based psychosocial interventions.