@article{ref1,
title="When the body is the target - representations of one's own body and bodily sensations in self-harm: a systematic review: Intended for Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews",
journal="Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews",
year="2019",
author="Hielscher, Emily and Whitford, Thomas J. and Scott, James G. and Zopf, Regine",
volume="101",
number="",
pages="85-112",
abstract="BACKGROUND: Typically, we try to protect our own bodies and this is supported by internal representations that specify one's body identity, spatial parameters, and bodily sensations, but in self-harm the body becomes the target. First acts of self-harm are typically reported in adolescence. At this age, the body also becomes more salient to one's self-concept. It may be possible that disturbances in representations of one's own body and its sensations contribute to self-harm. <br><br>METHODS: To investigate these links, we conducted a systematic review critically examining the potential role of body representation and sensation disturbances in self-harm (non-suicidal/suicidal.) in adolescents/young adults (12-25 years). <br><br>RESULTS: The search strategy identified 64 studies (275,183 participants) and overall, young people engaging in self-harm reported greater levels of body dissatisfaction, body disownership, and deficits in the experience and evaluation of bodily sensations compared to non-injuring control groups; however, there was subscale variability and gender differences. <br><br>CONCLUSION: Our results emphasise the strong link between body representations and self-protection, as well as a need for investigating self-harm interventions that take body image and awareness into account.<br><br>Copyright © 2019. Published by Elsevier Ltd.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0149-7634",
doi="10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.03.007",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.03.007"
}