1. ADDRESSING NON-SUICIDAL SELF-INJURY
ABSTRACT
Non-Suicidal Self-Injury (NSSI) continues to be a growing concern among adolescent
females between the ages of 10 to 14 years old within Massachusetts middle schools.
Although Massachusetts middle school principals encounter pre- and early adolescents
who self-injure, their perceptions regarding their role in addressing NSSI among
adolescent females ages 10 to 14 years old remains unknown. This study explored the
degree to which middle school principals consider addressing NSSI to be an important
part of their leadership role. It examined the various ways middle school principals
report they are currently addressing NSSI among adolescent females ages 10 to 14 years
old, and identified the factors and conditions that middle school principals believe inhibit
and support their efforts to address NSSI among the adolescent female population.
Present-day middle school principals participated in a 46 question survey (n=52) and a
one-to-one phone interview (n=15). Results demonstrated an urgent need for principals
to 1) increase their involvement regarding issues associated with NSSI in their individual
school, 2) learn the etiology of NSSI, 3) examine the factors that catalyze NSSI behaviors
within the adolescent female population, 4) be provided training through federal and/or
state education and administrative programs in order to develop a safety protocol for
students who have been identified with self-injurious behaviors, 5) apply for
federal/state/local funding for individual and staff training, 6) y implement prevention
programs while minimizing social contagion.