TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2015//
TI  - Exploring the role of mental imagery in the experience of self-injury: an interpretative phenomenological analysis
JO  - Behavioural and cognitive psychotherapy
A1  - Dargan, Peter
A1  - Reid, Graeme
A1  - Hodge, Suzanne
SP  - 92
EP  - 103
VL  - 44
IS  - 1
N2  - 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>
LA  - en
SN  - 1352-4658
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S1352465814000666
ID  - ref1
ER  -