Social work research on mental disorders

Linguistics

Self-Injurious Behavior

What is regarded as non-suicidal self-injurious behavior (NSSI) has met with much scholarly debate; however, this growing phenomenon has an increased presence in popular media and the mainstream as well as a growing number of anecdotal reports from junior and senior high school counselors, therapists, and physicians suggests it may be, as some have referred to it as, "the next teen disorder" (Whitlock & Knox, 2007). In the empirical studies and scholarly literature, the phenomenon is referred to as "self-harm," "self mutilation," "self-injury," "self-injurious behavior" or "cutting" and is defined as the self inflicted, deliberate destruction of the body's tissue without intent of suicide for purposes that are not socially sanctioned (Mulchenkamp & Gutierrez, 2007).

Although most frequently associated with a suicidal gesture, non-suicidal self-injury is statistically associated with suicide and can inadvertently result in fatality or unanticipated severe harm (Nock & Favazza, 2009). The study of NSSI in adolescence is in its nascent state. Empirical advances in this field of research over the past few years have resulted in a solid base of knowledge regarding basic epidemiological parameters. Researchers have determined that there are many youth of normal development that practice what is most often referred to as common NSSI (Whitlock, 2010). This form of self-injurious behavior includes behaviors that are compulsive meaning rarely premeditated and ritualistic such as trichotillomania or hair pulling; episodic, occurring every so often and with no obvious signs of someone who self-injures; and repetitive, performed on a regular basis with personal ego identification as someone who practices self-injurious behavior. Moreover, even though NSSI is classified in the Diagnostic and Statistics Manual (DSM), there is increasing evidence that NSSI can and does transpire independently of another diagnosed mental illness.

Literature Review

As previously advised, the scholarly and empirical research on non-suicidal, self-injurious behavior amongst adolescents is in the nascent state. However, what research has revealed to date has served to inform the literature and provided a firm foundation for additional scholarly work to be completed. Research reveals that in the United States, generally, studies show that the lifetime prevalence of common NSSI on average ranges from 12 to 37.2% in the secondary or high school populations (Jacobson & Gould, 2007) and 12 to 20% (Whitlock, Echenrode & Silverman, 2006) in late adolescent and the young adult population with an average onset age between 11 and 15 years (Whitlock, Echenrode & Silverman, 2006). More than ae of the youth reporting any form of NSSI, approximately 7% report current and repetitive self-injurious behavior in the past 12 months (Jacobson & Gould, 2007; Whitlock, Echenrode & Silverman, 2006). Moreover, 1/4 of all adolescents and young adults report practicing a single episode on self-injury in their lifetime. However, since a single episode of non-suicidal self-injury has been significantly associated and correlated with a history of comorbid conditions and abuse such as psychiatric distress and suicidality, there may be a group of single self-injurers that serve as a risk indicator for other pathology and/or risk behaviors (Whitlock, Echenrode & Silverman, 2006).

The most common forms of self-injury, not including intentional tattooing or piercing, include banging objects with the intent to self-injure, biting, tearing the skin, punching, carving and burning (Heath, Toste, Nedecheva & Charlebois, 2008). Injuries inflicted to the neck in the jugular region, face, breast, eyes or genitals may be clinically indicative of a greater level of psychological disturbance than injuries inflicted in other areas. In addition to multiple locations, many self reporters indicate using various tools to self-injure (Whitlock, Echenrode & Silverman, 2006). Recent studies have also revealed that females self report participating in NSSI than males within the same peer cohort.

Research Questions

The research questions are as follow:

What is the prevalence of NSSI amongst teenage girls ages 11-18 in Georgia?

Is there greater prevalence in the rural sector vs. The urban sector of Georgia?

Is NSSI contagious? Current research shows a clustered effect when self-injurious behavior is disclosed in a peer cohort (Health, 2008).

Does the internet encourage increased incidents of self-injurious behavior? The internet has proven to be a popular venue for individuals who practice NSSI to gather (Whitlock, Powers, & Eckenrode, 2006).

Concepts and Variables

The independent variable in this study is the cause, positive or negative, of the self-injurious behavior. Other independent variables will be ethnicity and age.

As this is a non-experimental study with no manipulation by the experiment the dependent variables will only be observed.

The measurement used will be questionnaires.

Research Design

Type of study will be quantitative using a random sample of 100 females between the ages of 11 and 18. Because of the age group to be researched, parental consent and minor assent will be required. All of the high schools and middle schools in Georgia will be solicited for participation in the study to have representation from both rural and urban schools. Those schools that opt to engage will be provided all the details with regard to the study. Parents will be forwarded letters advising of the study and consent will be secured. Once parental consent is provided, then assent will be secured from the girls in the desired age range. Because of the nature of the study, it is important to derive the pool of participants from a large potential source as self reporting can prove difficult in this age group. Once assent has been secured, participants will be provided the questionnaire via the internet for privacy. The questionnaires will be returned via the same electronic system the participants completed in. SPSS computerized software will be used for data computation.