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. 2013 Dec 13:7:1-8.
doi: 10.2147/PRBM.S44084. eCollection 2013.

A Google Trends-based approach for monitoring NSSI

Nicola Luigi Bragazzi  1
Affiliations

A Google Trends-based approach for monitoring NSSI

Nicola Luigi Bragazzi. Psychol Res Behav Manag. .

Abstract

Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is an intentional, direct, and socially unacceptable behavior resulting in the destruction of one's own body tissues with no intention of dying or committing suicide, even though it is associated with a higher risk of attempted, planned, or just considered suicide. In this preliminary report, we introduce the concept of "NSSI 2.0"; that is to say, the study of the Internet usage by subjects with NSSI, and we introduce a Google Trends-based approach for monitoring NSSI, called NSSI infodemiology and infoveillance. Despite some limitations, Google Trends has already proven to be reliable for infectious diseases monitoring, and here we extend its application and potentiality in the field of suicidology. Ad hoc web portals and surveys could be designed in light of the reported results for helping people with NSSI.

Keywords: Internet; infodemiology; infoveillance; non-suicidal self-injury.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Google Trends-based NSSI hit-search volume over the years (from 2004 to 2012). Notes: NSSI hit-search volume over the years 2004–2012 (top), a map of Italian towns with higher flux volumes (bottom, left), and a list of the most searched NSSI-related terms (bottom, right). Abbreviation: NSSI, non-suicidal self-injury.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Autocorrelation plot for the NSSI hit-search and partial autocorrelation plot, showing a regular cyclical pattern. Abbreviations: ACF, autocorrelation function; NSSI, non-suicidal self-injury; PACF, Partial autocorrelation function.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Pearson’s correlation plots for some of the most important NSSI-related hit search terms. Abbreviation: NSSI, non-suicidal self-injury.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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