Lived Experience of Repetitive Non-Suicidal Self-Injury
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The Lived Experience of Repetitive Non-Suicidal Self-Injury: A Qualitative Interview Study with Young Adults
IRAS ID
288915
Contact name
Tamsin Ford
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust and University of Cambridge
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 6 months, 1 days
Research summary
Some people intentionally hurt themselves for reasons other than wanting to end their life (e.g. to control difficult thoughts or feelings, punish themselves, or get support from others). Often times, people with a history of this “non-suicidal self-injury” say that the behaviour has changed since they first began hurting themselves – many report an escalation of self-injury frequency and severity over time, changes in their reasons for hurting themselves, or perceive their self-injury as addictive and difficult to control. Many also develop beneficial skills and strategies which give them greater control over their self-injury. However, few researchers have studied these experiences. In this project, we will interview young adults about the ways their self-injury has changed over time, and their perspectives why those changes occurred. This will help us better understand the complicated nature of non-suicidal self-injury. By speaking with lived experience experts, we hope to gain new insights into the ways that self-injury is maintained and reinforced. This may contribute to new treatments and interventions which can prevent initial non-suicidal self-injury from becoming severe, thereby helping others who struggle with self-injury in the future.
Results Summary
We do not have results due to staff leaving the project.REC name
London - Stanmore Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/LO/0199
Date of REC Opinion
27 Apr 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion