Citation

Lewis SP, Michal NJ. J. Health Psychol. 2014; 21(2): 250-260.

Affiliation

University of Guelph, Canada.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/1359105314527140

PMID

24707032

Abstract

Nonsuicidal self-injury e-communication has gained heightened empirical and public interest. This is the first study to examine possible motives for nonsuicidal self-injury e-communication. A total of 68 nonsuicidal self-injury e-community members responded to open-ended questions concerning reasons for starting, temporarily stopping, and continuing nonsuicidal self-injury e-communication.

RESULTS from a thematic analysis indicated that being motivated to obtain support, get nonsuicidal self-injury help, help others, and better understand nonsuicidal self-injury represented motives for starting nonsuicidal self-injury e-communication. For some, negative interactions and accessing triggering material contributed to e-communication stoppage; these individuals continued e-communication to get support and help. Implications for research and e-outreach are discussed.

Language: en