@article{ref1,
title="Using photo-elicitation to understand reasons for repeated self-harm: a qualitative study",
journal="BMC psychiatry",
year="2018",
author="Edmondson, Amanda J. and Brennan, Cathy A. and House, Allan O.",
volume="18",
number="1",
pages="e98-e98",
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. <br><br>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. <br><br>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. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Employing this novel approach was useful in broadening our understanding of self-harm.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1471-244X",
doi="10.1186/s12888-018-1681-3",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12888-018-1681-3"
}