title: Pushing the boundaries: understanding self-harm in a non-clinical population.
abstract: This study investigates 122 people's descriptions of their self-harm experiences using thematic analysis. Analysis revealed four themes: What counts as self-harm, What leads to self-harm, Intentions and Managing stigma. Our participants challenged commonly accepted understandings in terms of method, outcome and intentions. Several difficulties associated with discriminating between suicidal and non-suicidal self-harm were highlighted, which may be important in clinical practice. Few participants mentioned diagnosed psychiatric disorders; they best understood self-harm through their social experiences. Focusing on social understandings of self-harm may help reduce associated stigma and barriers to help-seeking.
authors.affiliation: Division of Mental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Nydalen, Oslo, Norway. Melanie.Straiton@fhi.no
authors.forename: Melanie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Straiton
authors.forename: Katrina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Roen
authors.forename: Gudrun
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dieserud
authors.forename: Heidi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hjelmeland
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D033182:Intention; D008297:Male; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult