Examining Spanish-Language Pro-Non-Suicidal Self-Injury (Pro-NSSI) Posts on Tumblr: A Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count Analysis

This study employed Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count (LIWC-22) software, a language analysis tool, to examine Spanish-language pro-NSSI Tumblr posts. Pro-NSSI, or “pro non suicidal self-injury”, refers to online content that normalizes or supports self-harming behaviors. Given the strong associations between NSSI and conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression, understanding how these behaviors are discussed online can help improve interventions. A year’s worth of public posts were collected, focusing on captions and hashtags that included NSSI-related terms. Using Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count (LIWC) software, we analyzed linguistic and psychological markers. Log-likelihood ratio tests revealed significantly higher frequencies of words related to negative emotions, sadness, health, and death compared to standard blog norms. Mixed-language posts showed notable code-switching, suggesting a possible emotional distancing mechanism when discussing self-harm. The findings indicate that Spanish-speaking adolescents engaging in pro-NSSI communities exhibit unique linguistic and psychological characteristics, with important implications for clinical assessment and intervention. Mental health counselors and educators can use these insights to develop culturally and linguistically responsive strategies for prevention and support.