Self-injury without the specific aim of suicide in children and young people is the deliberate destruction of body tissue without suicidal intent, using methods that are not socially sanctioned. Commonly accepted methods include cutting, burning, inserting objects under the skin, hitting and biting. This form of self-inflicted pain is especially widespread in adolescence and youth, and less so in adulthood. Adolescents and children may be a stronger risk group at higher risk for self-harm due to an increase in perceived emotional distress during these developmental periods combined with the immature development of regulatory systems in the brain (which together may increase one's propensity for impulsive behavior and risk-taking, including self-harm). A number of family interaction factors are strongly associated with self-injurious behavior in young people. The role of parental support is therefore complex, however factors such as perceived parental warmth, connectedness with parents and parental support may be protective and reduce the risk of self-harm. Perceived support from peers and school can also be helpful, but the connection is not as strong as that with parents. In particular, gender and the presence of a psychiatric disorder such as depression may mediate or moderate this relationship, but it still appears to be of great importance. The implication for family relationships is that facilitating conversations that explore how families construct ideas such as parental support and attempts to increase perceptions of support may protect against further self-harm.