The Practice of Non-Suicidal Self-Injury: A Sociological Enquiry

ISBN-13: 9783631610824 / Angielski / Twarda / 2011 / 208 str.

Mayrhofer, Andrea M.

Opis

Using a qualitative and interpretive mode of explanation, this study explored the wide-spread phenomenon of self-injury in relation to the self, the body, and meanings ascribed to acts of injuring the self via the body. Findings highlighted the body s communicative role in the symbolic expression of traumatic experiences, its physiological role in emotion regulation, and the addictive propensities of self-injury. From a sociological point of view, instant emotion regulation allows individuals to avoid social stigma, and well managed social performances in turn protect social bonds. This study shows that non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) cannot be conceptualised as simply another personality disorder or mental illness."

Spis treści

Contents: Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) - The question of intent - Aetiologies, meanings and functions of NSSI - The self: an object and a subject - The body as canvas - Addictive propensities - Mediation, ideation and imitation of NSSI.

O autorze

Andrea Mayrhofer is an Applied Social Science Researcher who has carried out empirical studies with street-children, young adults, and with adolescents and individuals in need of psycho-social support. Her current research interests are situated in the areas of sociological Social Psychology, Social/Cultural Anthropology, and the Sociology of Development.