Digital Self-Harm

Self-harm or self-inflicted harm is defined as self-injury or self-poisoning regardless of suicidal intent. It is a very common phenomenon, especially in younger populations. With digitalization, however, novel forms of self-harm have emerged: Digital self-harm (DSH) is an umbrella term for various digitally facilitated self-harm behaviours that involve self-harm, either directly or indirectly. Some forms of DSH extend traditional physical self-harm into the online space, while others are solely conducted online.
While previous research on DSH has identified correlations with various psychological and social factors, significant gaps remain in understanding the phenomenological aspects.
At the Research Centre Transional Psychiatry, we aim to address this gap by exploring the underlying psychological mechanisms and phenomenological experiences of individuals who engage in DSH. Our research includes a combination of three studies:

1. Online Vignette Experiment
2. Survey Study
3. Interview Study

The online vignette experiment aims to explore the mechanisms behind DSH. In a randomized controlled trial, participants aged 16-30 with a history of physical or digital self-harm will be assigned to one of four scenarios. The study will assess whether exposure to these scenarios influences participants' urges to self-harm and evaluate the emotional impact on the protagonist, focusing on self-harm urges, emotional regulation, and locus of control.
The survey study and interview study aim to collect comprehensive data on DSH and explore the phenomenology of this behavior. In the survey study, participants with self-harming experiences will be recruited from both clinical settings and non-clinical environments. Additionally, practitioners and researchers specializing in digital self-harm will provide expert insights.
The interview study will also focus on the subjective experiences of psychiatric patients who have engaged in DSH. In-depth interviews will allow us to explore forms, personal meanings, emotional processes, and psychological triggers that lead to self-harm behaviors.