title: Exploring the Role of Mental Imagery in the Experience of Self-injury: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis.
abstract: Research has implicated causal, mediating and meaningful roles for mental imagery in the experience of psychological distress, including self-injury.
  
  
  
  The present study aimed to further the understanding of this relationship through exploring the lived experiences of mental imagery from the perspective of those who self-injure.
  
  
  
  This study employed an inductive qualitative design using semi-structured interviews and Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Ten participants were recruited from universities in North West England.
  
  
  
  Three main themes were identified from the analysis: (i) The origins and precipitants of self-injurious imagery; (ii) What it is like to experience self-injurious imagery; and (iii) The meaning and interpretation of self-injurious imagery.
  
  
  
  The study findings indicate that mental imagery is an important experience for those who self-injure. Clinical and research implications of the findings are discussed.
authors.affiliation: North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust,Stoke-on-Trent,UK.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dargan
authors.affiliation: Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust,Wigan,UK.
authors.forename: Graeme
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-2869-787X
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Reid
authors.affiliation: Lancaster University,UK.
authors.forename: Suzanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hodge
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological / Q000379:methods; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012649:Self Concept; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*
keywords: IPA; Imagery; cognition; self-injury