Development and initial test of an online self-assessment of nonsuicidal self-injury severity

Effective assessment of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is crucial for identifying the behavior, evaluating its severity, and determining appropriate interventions. Many individuals who engage in NSSI are never assessed due to limited engagement in formal treatment, yet they do seek information and resources related to NSSI online. While numerous NSSI assessments exist, none have been designed for self-administration in online spaces where individuals are actively seeking help. An online self-assessment of NSSI severity has the potential to reach, assess, inform, and guide those in the early stages of help-seeking towards appropriate resources and support. In partnership with a large mental health advocacy group, this study aimed to 1) develop an online self-assessment of NSSI severity and conduct an initial test of the item pool, 2) better understand characteristics of NSSI, among individuals accessing NSSI information online. The online self-assessment was intentionally designed (a) on the empirical literature of factors important for understanding NSSI severity, (b) in conjunction with individuals with lived experience, and (3) in collaboration with a community organization familiar with online help-seeking samples, to ensure that the long-term goal of pairing the assessment with resource recommendations can be met. A clear 5-factor structure that is both empirically and theoretically sound emerged. With further development, the online self-assessment, which we call Self-Evaluation of NSSI Severity and Experience (SENSE), can provide valuable information to individuals who engage in NSSI and are seeking help online and be a direct line to personalized resource recommendations.