Nonsuicidal self-injury in elementary schools: School educators' knowledge and professional development needs

Abstract

Previous research suggests that nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI; the intentional destruction of bodily tissue without suicidal intent) occurs among elementary-aged children. However, it remains unclear to what extent elementary school educators encounter NSSI among students and how they respond. Therefore, this study investigated cross-national differences in Canadian and Belgian elementary school educators' knowledge of, and experience with NSSI among students. More specifically, elementary school educators' perceived reasons and supportive needs of students who engage in NSSI, as well as their own professional development needs, were explored. In total, 181 elementary school educators across Canada (n = 63) and Belgium (n = 118) were recruited through teacher association listservs and by school administrators who distributed the study information to school staff. Chi-square tests revealed that Canadian elementary school educators had more often encountered NSSI among their students than Belgian educators, although Canadian and Belgian school educators' similarly reported feeling ill-equipped to deal with NSSI among students. Thematic analyses revealed that educators believe elementary-aged students engage in NSSI because of various intrapersonal (e.g., low self-esteem) and interpersonal stressors (e.g., bullying). Moreover, the majority of educators would like professional development to more effectively respond to students. Implications for schools and future research are discussed.