Citation

Dargan P, Reid G, Hodge S. Behav. Cognit. Psychother. 2015; 44(1): 92-103.

Affiliation

Lancaster University,UK.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies, Publisher Cambridge University Press)

DOI

10.1017/S1352465814000666

PMID

25597777

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Research has implicated causal, mediating and meaningful roles for mental imagery in the experience of psychological distress, including self-injury. Aims: The present study aimed to further the understanding of this relationship through exploring the lived experiences of mental imagery from the perspective of those who self-injure.

METHOD: This study employed an inductive qualitative design using semi-structured interviews and Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Ten participants were recruited from universities in North West England.

RESULTS: Three main themes were identified from the analysis: (i) The origins and precipitants of self-injurious imagery; (ii) What it is like to experience self-injurious imagery; and (iii) The meaning and interpretation of self-injurious imagery.

CONCLUSIONS: The study findings indicate that mental imagery is an important experience for those who self-injure. Clinical and research implications of the findings are discussed.

Language: en