Barton-Breck (2011). The prolonged use of self-injury leads to multiple functions in a community sample: A grounded theory
Dr Andrew Barton-Breck, Self-Injury Specialist, Honorary Research Fellow, University of Greenwich, October 2011
ABSRACT
In order to advance our understanding of self-injury this retrospective longitudinal study
investigated a community samples prolonged use of self-injury. This was achieved by obtaining
verbal narrative accounts from 25 adults detailing their experiences of using self-injury, from its
onset during childhood or early adolescence, throughout adolescence and into adulthood. These
verbatim accounts formed a corpus of data, which was analysed using a grounded theory (GT)
method. The process of analysis established seven robust categories associated with the use of
self-injury consisting of behavioural, cognitive, emotional, social, occupational, communication
and physiological experiences. By thoroughly examining these categories the substantial theory
the self-injury develops as a versatile multi-functional behaviour was generated. The
contribution this theory makes towards advancing our knowledge and understanding of this
phenomenon, and the value of studying a community sample was discussed. Several critical
aspects of the methodology were identified, in particular the restrictive generalisation of the
findings and the use of retrospective accounts. Proposals were made for further research to
clarify and investigate the multiple functions of self-injury, compare the use of self-injury
between clinical and community samples and to increase our understanding of the continuing
use of covert forms of self-injury during adulthood. Click here to view page containing full article.
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