Non-suicidal self injury in adolescence: a multidimensional perspective

Abstract

Adolescence is a period that, in comparison with other age groups, does not present high diseases rates. Behaviors related to self-injury violence have occupied a main position in the services practice and morbidity/mortality in this population. Among these violence types are non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), which have been increasingly prioritized at national and international levels. Despite the growing interest in studying NSSI, there are gaps in the literature, especially in the Brazilian context; it is understood that robust qualitative studies can be coherent with poorly outlined phenomena. Thus, this study aims to understand the NSSI meanings in adolescents from the education and health professionals' perspectives (Primary Health Care and Urgency/Emergency), as well as the NSSI concepts and coping for adolescents and their families. The theoretical model will be Symbolic Interacionism and Winnicott's Maturity Theory. The study will be developed in three phases. The first one is related to the qualitative studies systematic review about the NSSI meanings for adolescents, families and professionals. The second phase will be a qualitative research, with data collection performed through semi-structured interviews with professionals and family members; Photovoice and focus groups with adolescents. Data analysis will be done through thematic analysis. The third phase will be the action strategies agreement and flowcharts for NSSI care in adolescence among society and health, education and protection system professionals and managers. It is understood that the meanings approach attributed to these actions can point out ways for future interventions and training, especially in the Nursing field, seeking to qualify the health care to adolescents, an audience still neglected in the various spheres of care. (AU)