Cutting to Live: A Phenomenology of Self‐Harm

Abstract

This exploratory study utilizes a phenomenological methodology as described by Moustakas (Phenomenological research methods, Sage Publications, 1994). Data were gathered via qualitative face‐to‐face interviews from a midsize southwestern community. Eleven participants, ten females and one male, were included in this study. Data suggested three categories that described the participants’ experiences of self‐harm: Self‐harm is Misunderstood, Self‐Harm has a Role, and Advice to Professionals. Among these categories, 11 themes emerged, including Self‐Harm is Not Suicide, Self‐Harm is an Addiction, Individuals Who Self‐Harm are Traumatized, Help That’s Not Helpful, Self‐Harm is a Release, Physical Pain versus Emotional Pain, Self‐Harm IS Control, and Need to be Punished. Advice to professionals who work with individuals who self‐harm is offered by the participants. The study concludes with a discussion of the phenomenon of self‐harm, as well as clinical and training implications for professionals. Future directions for research are also discussed.

What activities might facilitate personal recovery for adults who continue to self‐harm? A meta‐synthesis employing the connectedness/hope and optimism/identity/meaning/empowerment framework

“…In cyberspace groups, positive social identities appeared to be constructed through reciprocity when members gave and received support (Brown & Kimball 2013;Haberstroh & Moyer 2012). This was assisted by not linking self-harm to suicide, and by exploring the person, not only their self-harm.…”

Adolescent Self‐cutting: An Embodiment of the Unsaid

“…For Mikolajczak, Petrides, and Hurry () self‐harm primarily constitutes an emotion regulation strategy to express distressing emotions, reduce dissociative symptoms, test interpersonal boundaries, and prevent aggression toward others. Other authors identify a lack of investigation into the motivations and functionality of self‐harm (the ‘whys’) resulting in a failure to understand treatment needs (Brown & Kimball, ; Laye‐Gindhu & Schonert‐Reichl, ; McAllister, ; Ougrin, ).…”

The Relationship Between Nonsuicidal Self‐Injury and Family Functioning: Adolescent and Parent Perspectives

“…() found that decreased family support predicted maintenance of self‐injury over a 12‐month interval, while increased family support predicted cessation. Additionally, adolescents who engage in self‐injury typically report the family environment to be critical, emotionally stifling, alienating, and lacking support and care (Baetens et al., ; Brown & Kimball, ; Bureau et al., ; Cox et al., ; Taliaferro, Muehlenkamp, Borowsky, McMorris, & Kugler, ). While prior findings consistently demonstrate a relationship between adolescent‐reported family functioning and self‐injury, family functioning is a dynamic, multidimensional account of a family life (e.g., Di Pierro et al., ; Epstein, Baldwin, & Bishop, ), and assessing family functioning from only one perspective restricts what can be inferred and generalized.…”