Self-harming adolescents: how do they perceive and explain this behavior?

Abstract Self-harm is a prevalent adolescence behavior, indicated as public health problem. The objective was to understand how adolescents perceive and explain this considering family school characteristics. It’s multiple case study, in which five self-harming participated, enrolled Novo Hamburgo-RS, participated the study. They answered following instruments: Sociodemographic Data Sheet, Semi-Structured Interview, Family Support Perception Inventory, Youth Self-Reporting Delaware School Climate Survey-Student. Each individually analyzed cross-case synthesis performed. strategy relief suffering regulate emotions. Low familial support, lack of skills, presence internalizing externalizing problems were evidenced, well negative evaluation peer relations student engagement. When faced with complex phenomenon, it important contemplate individual relational issues interventions.