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A qualitative analysis of perceptions of self-harm in members of the general public
- Authors:
- NEWTON Claira, BALE Chris
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Public Mental Health, 11(3), 2012, pp.106-116.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
The aim of this preliminary investigation was to explore perceptions of self-harm in the general public. First, it aimed to investigate public perceptions of what behaviours constitute self-harm. Secondly, it aimed to identify whether attitudes towards individuals who self-harm in the general public were similar to the sometimes negative and unsympathetic perceptions of health care professionals demonstrated in previous studies. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 7 participants, none of whom had any professional or academic experience or knowledge of self-harm. A matrix-based thematic analysis method was used to analyse the data collected. The findings showed that eating disorders were generally perceived as forms of self-harm while body modification was not. The participants generally showed sympathy towards individuals who self-harm, especially when they perceived the behaviour to be associated with mental illness. Developing a greater understanding of public perceptions of self-harm could have important implications for understanding mental health professionals' perceptions of the phenomenon.