%0 Journal Article
%T An empirical analysis of internet message boards for self-harming behavior
%J Archives of suicide research
%D 2016
%A Eichenberg, Christiane
%A Schott, Markus
%V ePub
%N ePub
%P ePub-ePub
%X 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. <br><br>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. <br><br>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. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: The results question the assumptions that self-harm forums are a source of harm and point to their predominantly constructive and preventive functions.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>
%G en
%I Informa - Taylor and Francis Group
%@ 1381-1118
%U http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13811118.2016.1259597