Exploring student perceptions of self-harming behaviour: a qualitative study

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to explore student perceptions of self-harm to gain an in-depth understanding of their views, inform anti-stigma campaigns and promote help-seeking behaviour. Ten individual, semi-structured interviews were conducted, transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis. Students’ perceptions were characterised by a number of themes, including global and local culture, judgment in relation to people and behaviours, and defining self-harm. Findings suggest that current definitions of self-harm should incorporate emotional pain in their explanations to more fully encompass students’ understanding. Further, anti-stigma campaigns should be mindful of culture and focus on addressing both perceptions of those who self-harm, and the behaviour itself. Educational environments might be well placed to implement stigma reduction campaigns and promote help-seeking.

KEYWORDS:

• Self-harm
• student
• perceptions
• attitudes
• qualitative

Disclosure statement

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

Notes

1 Emo is a style of punk rock music that has a loud, expressive and confessional nature. It has a tendency to deal with complex and emotional subject matter. Individuals who identify with this type of music subculture are often referred to as “Emo”.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Claudine Fox

Claudine Fox is Programme Director of the MSc in Clinical Applications of Psychology in the Department of Psychology at the University of Warwick. Her research interests include stereotyping/stigmatisation of mental illness, including self-harm, self-harm and counselling, and children’s representations of mental illness.

Rebecca Flower

Rebecca Flower conducted the research for their undergraduate dissertation having developed an interest in self-harm through her work as a volunteer in the University of Warwick listening service.