Citation

Eichenberg C, Schott M. Arch. Suicide Res. 2016; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Affiliation

Sigmund Freud University Vienna , Vienna , Austria.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, International Academy of Suicide Research, Publisher Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/13811118.2016.1259597

PMID

27845618

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Much debate surrounds the potential effects of self-harm forum use. Arguments in favour highlight factors such as providing access to a supportive community. However critical voice highlighting potential dangers such as forums serving as a platform to promote self-harm, clearly dominate the debate.

OBJECTIVE: Using an online questionnaire, the goal of the current study was to examine sociodemographic characteristics, the psychopathology of forum users, motives for participating, as well as subjective effects of self-harm forum use.

RESULTS: Three hundred and nine self-harm forum users participated in this study. Three heterogeneous user types with differing motives for visiting the forum and different usage effects were identified.

CONCLUSIONS: The results question the assumptions that self-harm forums are a source of harm and point to their predominantly constructive and preventive functions.

Language: en