@article{ref1,
title="Exploring the role of mental imagery in the experience of self-injury: an interpretative phenomenological analysis",
journal="Behavioural and cognitive psychotherapy",
year="2015",
author="Dargan, Peter and Reid, Graeme and Hodge, Suzanne",
volume="44",
number="1",
pages="92-103",
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. <br><br>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. <br><br>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. <br><br>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.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1352-4658",
doi="10.1017/S1352465814000666",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S1352465814000666"
}