title: An interpretative phenomenological analysis of the experience of self-harm repetition and recovery in young adults.
abstract: Six young adults (aged 19-21 years) with repeat self-harm for over 5 years were interviewed about their self-harm, why they continued and what factors might help them to stop. Interpretative phenomenological analysis identified six themes: keeping self-harm private and hidden; self-harm as self-punishment; self-harm provides relief and comfort; habituation and escalation of self-harm; emotional gains and practical costs of cutting, and not believing they will stop completely. Young adults presented self-harm as an ingrained and purposeful behaviour which they could not stop, despite the costs and risks in early adulthood. Support strategies focused on coping skills, not just eradicating self-harm, are required.
authors.affiliation: 1 The University of Nottingham, UK.
authors.forename: Ruth
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wadman
authors.affiliation: 1 The University of Nottingham, UK.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Clarke
authors.affiliation: 1 The University of Nottingham, UK.
authors.forename: Kapil
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sayal
authors.affiliation: 2 Greenwood Institute of Child Health, UK.
authors.forename: Panos
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vostanis
authors.affiliation: 3 Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, UK.
authors.forename: Marie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Armstrong
authors.affiliation: 4 Harmless, UK.
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Harroe
authors.affiliation: 3 Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, UK.
authors.forename: Pallab
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Majumder
authors.affiliation: 1 The University of Nottingham, UK.
authors.forename: Ellen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Townsend
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018907:Privacy; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: interpretative phenomenological analysis; qualitative methods; self-harm; young adults