Barriers and facilitators for self-harm: development and validation of an instrument for health professionals

to develop and validate an instrument based on the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) to identify barriers and facilitators perceived by health professionals in the prevention of self-harm.

methodological study based on Pasquali's theoretical framework and the Theoretical Domains Framework. Face and content validations were performed through expert evaluation (n = 13) and construct validity, with health professionals (n = 91). Participants were selected by non-probabilistic convenience sampling. Data were collected on a virtual form and analyzed using the Content Validity Index (CVI), the First-Order Agreement (AC1) coefficient of concordance, and Horn's exploratory factor analysis.

inter-rater agreement was considered moderate (AC1 = 0.52; SD = 0.04; 95% CI = 0.42 - 0.61; p = ≤ 0.005). After analysis with the target audience, three items were removed (KMO = < 0.6). Factor analysis identified three factors and 11 items, with the internal consistency of the instrument considered high (ω = 0.89). The final version was structured with 11 items on a Likert scale.

the instrument is pioneering and accessible for the Brazilian context, with potential to identify barriers and facilitators self-harm prevention.

(1) The instrument identifies barriers and facilitators for the prevention of self-harm.

(2) The internal consistency of the instrument was considered high.

(3) The analysis identified the following factors: knowledge and capacity, context and institutional support.

(4) The instrument developed is easy to use and adaptable to different contexts in Brazil.

(5) The instrument contributes to studies on the prevention of self-harm.