Adolescents' attitudes toward non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) and their perspectives of barriers to seeking professional treatment for NSSI

•The attitudes of 17 adolescents towards NSSI and their perspectives on barriers were obtained by using qualitative research.•17 adolescents varied in their attitudes to NSSI, including normal, effective, ignorant, disgraceful.•Some subjective and objective barriers were found, including negative attitudes toward NSSI, fear of being regarded as an attention getter, etc.