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BMC Psychiatry
Published in: BMC Psychiatry 1/2018

Open Access 01-12-2018 | Research article

Using photo-elicitation to understand reasons for repeated self-harm: a qualitative study

Authors: Amanda J. Edmondson, Cathy Brennan, Allan O. House

Published in: BMC Psychiatry | Issue 1/2018

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Abstract

Background

Reasons for self-harm are not well understood. One of the reasons for this is that first-hand accounts are usually elicited using traditional interview and questionnaire methods. This study aims to explore the acceptability of using an approach (photo-elicitation) that does not rely on solely verbal or written techniques, and to make a preliminary assessment of whether people can usefully employ images to support a discussion about the reasons why they self-harm.

Method

Interviews with eight participants using photo elicitation, a method in which photographs produced by the participant are used as a stimulus and guide within the interview.

Results

Participants responded positively to using images to support a discussion about their self-harm and readily incorporated images in the interview. Four main themes were identified representing negative and positive or adaptive purposes of self-harm: self-harm as a response to distress, self-harm to achieve mastery, self-harm as protective and self-harm as a language or form of communication.

Conclusions

Employing this novel approach was useful in broadening our understanding of self-harm.
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Metadata
Title
Using photo-elicitation to understand reasons for repeated self-harm: a qualitative study
Authors
Amanda J. Edmondson
Cathy Brennan
Allan O. House
Publication date
01-12-2018
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Psychiatry / Issue 1/2018
Electronic ISSN: 1471-244X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-018-1681-3

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