Reading between the lines: The stories of young adults experience with the onset and persistence of self-harm behaviour

Abstract

Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a prevalent and serious issue in adolescent populations. There is limited research investigating the phenomenon of NSSI from the individual's perspective. This study explored how young adults began self-harming as adolescents and how the behaviour progressed for them. The aim of the study is to elucidate an understanding of NSSI from the perspective of the self-injurer. Eleven young adults with a history of NSSI were invited to tell their stories. Transcripts were analyzed using a narrative research approach (Emden, 1988b) and a story was re-created for each participant. Transcripts and stories were also analyzed across participants and four major themes were uncovered: adverse circumstances in childhood, emotions, sense of self, and function. Self-harm was used as a form of behaviour management and as a mechanism to reduce or eliminate what was perceived to be a less desirable behaviour. This is one of the first known studies to use narrative research methodology to investigate the origins and progression of self-harm behaviour in adolescents. Implications for addressing NSSI are discussed.