Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a significant public health concern, particularly among adolescents. Understanding the effects of disclosing NSSI to peers and adults can greatly influence therapeutic outcomes. A recent study titled What happens when you tell someone you self-injure? The effects of disclosing NSSI to adults and peers provides critical insights that can help practitioners improve their approach to handling disclosures of NSSI.
The study analyzed data from 2637 adolescents over three years, focusing on the impact of NSSI disclosure on help-seeking behavior, coping strategies, social support, and severity of NSSI. Key findings include:
- Disclosure to parents and other adults facilitates informal help-seeking, improves coping, and reduces suicidality.
- Disclosure to peers may reduce perceived social support and potentially encourage NSSI in others.
Based on these findings, practitioners can implement several strategies to improve outcomes for adolescents who disclose NSSI:
1. Encourage Disclosure to Trusted Adults
The study found that disclosing NSSI to parents or other trusted adults leads to better psychosocial outcomes. Practitioners should encourage adolescents to confide in supportive adults who can provide appropriate guidance and resources.
2. Educate Peers and Families
Given that peers are often the first confidantes, educating them about NSSI and appropriate responses can mitigate negative effects. Additionally, training families to respond supportively to disclosures can enhance the overall support system for the adolescent.
3. Promote Adaptive Coping Strategies
Adolescents who disclosed their NSSI to adults showed improved coping skills over time. Practitioners should focus on teaching and reinforcing adaptive coping mechanisms to help adolescents manage their emotions effectively.
4. Address the Potential for NSSI Contagion
The study highlighted the risk of NSSI contagion among peer groups. Practitioners should monitor peer interactions and provide guidance on healthy ways to support friends without encouraging harmful behaviors.
5. Foster a Supportive Environment
A supportive family environment with open communication can significantly impact an adolescent's willingness to disclose NSSI and seek help. Practitioners can work with families to create such environments.
These strategies, grounded in data-driven insights, can help practitioners support adolescents more effectively and reduce the adverse effects of NSSI. By fostering a supportive and informed network around the adolescent, we can promote better mental health outcomes.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: What happens when you tell someone you self-injure? The effects of disclosing NSSI to adults and peers.
