Penelope Hasking

Objective: To synthesize recent global evidence on the prevalence of eating disorders and disordered eating among students in Grades 1–12. Method: This rapid review and meta‐analysis followed Cochrane Rapid Review Methods and PRISMA guidelines. We searched MEDLINE (via PubMed), PsycINFO, and Scopus for peer‐reviewed literature and ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global for gray literature published up to May 24, 2026. No language restrictions were applied. Results: A total of 386 outcomes involving 1,989,819 participants were included, with 75 (19.4%) reporting eating disorders and 311 (80.6%) reporting disordered eating. The pooled prevalence of eating disorders was 2.9% (95% CI: 2.3%–3.6%) and was higher among girl than boy students (3.7% vs. 1.7%). The pooled prevalence of disordered eating was 19.8% (95% CI: 18.2%–21.5%), also higher among girls than boys (23.2% vs. 15.7%). The highest pooled prevalence of eating disorders was reported in Oman (9.5%), Taiwan (9.2%), and Iran (5.5%), while disordered eating was highest in Indonesia (69.4%), Pakistan (42.0%), and Slovenia (39.8%). Disordered eating was more common in public schools and among adolescents aged 15–16 years. Studies at high risk of bias reported a higher pooled prevalence of eating disorders than those at low risk of bias (4.6% vs. 2.1%), whereas the pooled prevalence of disordered eating was comparable between studies at high and low risk of bias (20.0% vs. 21.6%). Discussion: Disordered eating is highly prevalent among school‐based students. Elevated prevalence among girl students, those aged 15–16 years, and public‐school students suggests a need for targeted screening, prevention, and early intervention strategies.

The disclosure of nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) can be a critical step in recovery by enabling access to social support, clinical intervention, and emotional validation. However, little is known about the psychological and contextual factors that shape individuals’ decisions to disclose NSSI. The present study developed and provided initial validation for the Preparedness to Disclose Nonsuicidal Self-Injury Scale (PDNS), a novel measure designed to assess individuals’ psychological readiness to disclose their experiences of NSSI. Seventy-five preliminary items were administered to 675 university students (77% female; M = 22.20 years, SD = 4.83), 64% of whom had previously disclosed their NSSI. Principal axis factoring revealed a three-factor structure (Self-Efficacy to Disclose, Interpersonal Motives, and Situational Readiness). The five highest loading items on each factor were retained, resulting in a 15-item scale that reliably differentiated individuals who had disclosed from those who had not. Evidence of measurement invariance across individuals who had or had not disclosed their NSSI supported the robustness and generalisability of the PDNS. Correlations with measures of theoretically related constructs provided support for the scale’s convergent and discriminant validity. These findings indicate that preparedness to disclose NSSI is a dynamic, multifaceted process shaped by social-cognitive factors. The PDNS provides a psychometrically sound tool for research and clinical practice, offering a framework to support safe and adaptive disclosure experiences among individuals who self-injure.

The disclosure of nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) can be a critical step in recovery by enabling access to social support, clinical intervention, and emotional validation. However, little is known about the psychological and contextual factors that shape individuals’ decisions to disclose NSSI. The present study developed and provided initial validation for the Preparedness to Disclose Nonsuicidal Self-Injury Scale (PDNS), a novel measure designed to assess individuals’ psychological readiness to disclose their experiences of NSSI. Seventy-five preliminary items were administered to 675 university students (77% female; M = 22.20 years, SD = 4.83), 64% of whom had previously disclosed their NSSI. Principal axis factoring revealed a three-factor structure (Self-Efficacy to Disclose, Interpersonal Motives, and Situational Readiness). The five highest loading items on each factor were retained, resulting in a 15-item scale that reliably differentiated individuals who had disclosed from those who had not. Evidence of measurement invariance across individuals who had or had not disclosed their NSSI supported the robustness and generalisability of the PDNS. Correlations with measures of theoretically related constructs provided support for the scale’s convergent and discriminant validity. These findings indicate that preparedness to disclose NSSI is a dynamic, multifaceted process shaped by social-cognitive factors. The PDNS provides a psychometrically sound tool for research and clinical practice, offering a framework to support safe and adaptive disclosure experiences among individuals who self-injure.

Objective: This meta-analysis aims to systematically synthesise the evidence on the psychological, emotional, and relational experiences of parents of individuals who engage in non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI). Introduction: NSSI is a significant public health concern associated with adverse outcomes for both individuals and their families. While a substantial body of research has examined NSSI among young people, less attention has been given to its impact on parents and caregivers. Existing studies reveal that parents often experience considerable psychological distress, emotional burden, and disruption to family functioning following awareness of their child’s NSSI. However, a quantitative synthesis is needed to clarify the magnitude and direction of these parental outcomes and to identify gaps in the current evidence base to inform future research and the development of targeted supports for parents. Inclusion criteria: The review will include empirical studies examining parents or caregivers of individuals who engage in NSSI. Eligible studies must report at least one outcome related to parental psychological, emotional, or relational experiences. Methods: The review will follow the PRISMA guideline for meta-analyses. Electronic searches will be conducted across Medline, Scopus, ProQuest, and Web of Science. Two reviewers will independently screen studies, extract data, and assess risk of bias using standardised tools. Pooled effect sizes and random effect models will be calculated using meta-analysis. Results and Conclusion: This meta-analysis will provide a synthesis of the psychological, emotional, and relational experiences of parents of individuals who engage in NSSI and identify gaps in the literature. Findings will inform future research and support the development of evidence-informed interventions and supports for parents and caregivers of individuals who self-injure.

Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in children aged 14 years and under in Australia, and child maltreatment is consistently identified as an antecedent. Despite this, not enough is known about the pathways from child maltreatment to suicidal behaviour, hampering prevention efforts. In this perspective, we examine the association between (1) various types of childhood maltreatment, and (2) the presence of mental disorders, and subsequent suicidal behaviours in children aged 14 years and under. We present a conceptual model of childhood suicidal behaviours which incorporates both direct and indirect mechanisms by which maltreatment (and other risk factors) exert an influence. Bodily intrusive maltreatment, especially sexual and physical abuse, significantly increases the risk of suicidal behaviours in childhood. Other forms of maltreatment, such as neglect and emotional abuse, may also contribute. While the presence of a mental disorder is another prominent risk factor for suicidal behaviours in adolescents and adults, there is less evidence of this association in childhood. Efforts to prevent child maltreatment can support suicide prevention efforts in children and other age groups. In addition, screening for suicidal behaviours and targeted interventions should be prioritised for populations at increased risk, particularly children with a history of maltreatment and their families.

Although emotion dysregulation is a transdiagnostic risk factor for psychopathology, research typically focuses on dysregulation of negative emotions only. We investigated the contributions of dimensions of emotional experience, emotion beliefs, and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) to both negative and positive emotion dysregulation. 441 participants (M age = 23.65, 73.5% female, 39.0% with lifetime NSSI) reported their negative and positive emotion reactivity, intensity, perseveration, and dysregulation, as well as their NSSI history and beliefs about the controllability and usefulness of emotions. Emotion intensity, perseveration, uncontrollability beliefs, and NSSI were uniquely associated with emotion dysregulation. Counter to predictions, emotion reactivity was associated with less dysregulation. Greater perseveration was associated with greater dysregulation of both negative and positive emotions, but only for participants who believed emotions were uncontrollable. NSSI also moderated the associations between emotion experiences and dysregulation. Among individuals who self-injure, increased emotional intensity was associated with greater dysregulation of positive emotions. Among individuals who self-injure and believed emotions were more useful, increased reactivity was linked to less dysregulation of positive emotions. Conversely, for those without a NSSI history who believed emotions were less useful, increased reactivity was associated with less dysregulation of positive emotion. Emotion beliefs are an important mechanism associated with dysregulation of both negative and positive emotion. Positive emotions play a complex role in dysregulation, influenced by cognitive (controllability and usefulness beliefs) and behavioral factors (NSSI), underscoring the need for future research to explore dysregulation of both negative and positive emotions to improve emotional well-being.HighlightsEmotion experiences, beliefs, and NSSI are linked toand positive and negative emotion dysregulation.Extended emotions responses are linked to dysregulation only in the context of believing emotions areuncontrollable.Similar emotion beliefs relate differently to experiences and dysregulation depending on NSSI status.