The subjective experience of non-suicidal self-injury among female Chinese university students

Abstract

Objective

The purpose of this study was to explore the subjective experience of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) among female Chinese university students in Hong Kong.

Design

Interpretative phenomenological analysis was used.

Methods

Seven female students participated in the study, two engaged in biting and scratching, and three in cutting.

Results

The majority of them indicated negative attitudes towards NSSI and saw no particular meaning attached to it. However, they all persisted with their behaviours, which suggested that they were unable to stop. Students found themselves in a paradoxical situation whereby although they saw no real benefit of NSSI, they still engaged in it to cope with distress. Feelings characterised by this distress were about entrapment and issues with academia, intimacy, loneliness, insecurity, negative self-worth, regulating distressing emotions, increasing positive physical sensations, healing oneself, and feeling alive.

Conclusions

The experience of hurting themselves persistently for these female students symbolised their struggle with academic or relationship difficulties, self-acceptance, emotional regulation and survival without self-injury.

Keywords:

• Subjective experience
• non-suicidal self-injury
• Chinese females

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

The authors confirm that the datasupporting the findings of this study are available within the article.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Siu Ling Wong

Dr. Siu Ling Wong earned her BA in History and EdD in Educational Psychology (The Chinese University of Hong Kong). She is a certified counsellor and approved supervisor of the Hong Kong Professional Counselling Association. She is currently senior counsellor at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University.

Man Cheung Chung

Professor Man Cheung Chung earned his BA in Psychology and Sociology (University of Guelph, Canada), PhD in Psychology (University of Sheffield, UK) and PhD in Philosophy (University of Durham, UK). He is Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society, a Chartered Scientist and Psychologist. He is currently Professor of Psychology at the Chinese University of Hong Kong.