Representations of Non-Suicidal Self-Injury in Motion Pictures

C Trewavas; P Hasking; Margaret McAllister

doi:10.1080/13811110903479110

Back

Representations of Non-Suicidal Self-Injury in Motion Pictures

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Representations of Non-Suicidal Self-Injury in Motion Pictures

C Trewavas, P Hasking and Margaret McAllister

Archives of Suicide Research, Vol.14(1), pp.89-103

2010

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13811110903479110

Files and links (1)

url

https://doi.org/10.1080/13811110903479110View

Published Version

Abstract

film

media representations

non suicidal self injury

self harm

self injury

The aim of this study was to investigate representations of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) in popular media. Forty-one motion pictures were viewed, coded, and analyzed. NSSI was correlated with mental illness, child maltreatment, and substance abuse. NSSI was generally portrayed as severe, habitual and covert. Further, depictions of NSSI were often sensationalized and featured prominently. NSSI was less likely to be associated with completed suicide than other psychological factors, but more closely associated with suicide than NSSI is in the community. Although NSSI was associated with psychiatric illness, few characters were receiving psychiatric care at the time of NSSI. However a significant proportion received support after engaging in NSSI. The portrayal of NSSI is generally accurate regarding correlates and function, but is inaccurately associated with suicide. Implications of the relatively accurate portrayal of NSSI are discussed in light of the potential for imitation, and the possibility of using cinematherapy to promote effective problem resolution.

Details

Title: Representations of Non-Suicidal Self-Injury in Motion Pictures
Authors: C Trewavas (Author) - Monash University
P Hasking (Author) - Monash University
Margaret McAllister (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health and Education
Publication details: Archives of Suicide Research, Vol.14(1), pp.89-103
Publisher: Routledge
Date published: 2010
DOI: 10.1080/13811110903479110
ISSN: 1381-1118
Organisation Unit: University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99449527302621
Output Type: Journal article

Metrics

1 File views/ downloads

377 Record Views

26 Times Cited - Web of Science

InCites Highlights

These are selected metrics from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool, related to this output

Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Psychiatry; Psychology; Psychology, Multidisciplinary

UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This output has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:

Source: InCites