scholarly journals Self-harm and social media: thematic analysis of images posted on three social media sites

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. e027006 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicola Shanahan ◽  
Cathy Brennan ◽  
Allan House
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Female Body ◽  
Explicit Representation ◽  
Visual Content ◽  
Self Injury ◽  
Self Harm

ObjectivesTo explore the nature of images tagged as self-harm on popular social media sites and what this might tell us about how these sites are used.DesignA visual content and thematic analysis of a sample of 602 images captured from Twitter, Instagram and Tumblr.ResultsOver half the images tagged as self-harm had no explicit representation of self-harm. Where there was explicit representation, self-injury was the most common; none of these portrayed images of graphic or shocking self-injury. None of the images we captured specifically encouraged self-harm or suicide and there was no image that could be construed as sensationalising self-harm.Four themes were found across the images: communicating distress, addiction and recovery, gender and the female body, identity and belonging.ConclusionsFindings suggest that clinicians should not be overly anxious about what is being posted on social media. Although we found a very few posts suggesting self-injury was attractive, there were no posts that could be viewed as actively encouraging others to self-harm. Rather, the sites were being used to express difficult emotions in a variety of creative ways, offering inspiration to others through the form of texts or shared messages about recovery.

scholarly journals Examining the Self-Harm and Suicide Contagion Effects of the Blue Whale Challenge on YouTube and Twitter: Qualitative Study (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amro Khasawneh ◽  
Kapil Chalil Madathil ◽  
Emma Dixon ◽  
Pamela Wiśniewski ◽  
Heidi Zinzow ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Vulnerable Populations ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Suicidal Behaviors ◽  
Blue Whale ◽  
Contagion Effects ◽  
Direct Exposure ◽  
Self Harm ◽  
Youtube Videos ◽  
Contagion Risk

BACKGROUND Research suggests that direct exposure to suicidal behaviors and acts of self-harm through social media may increase suicidality through imitation and modeling, particularly in more vulnerable populations. One example of a social media phenomenon that demonstrates how self-harming behavior could potentially be propagated is the blue whale challenge. In this challenge, adolescents and young adults are encouraged to engage in self-harm and eventually kill themselves. OBJECTIVE This paper aimed to investigate the way individuals portray the blue whale challenge on social media, with an emphasis on factors that could pose a risk to vulnerable populations. METHODS We first used a thematic analysis approach to code 60 publicly posted YouTube videos, 1112 comments on those videos, and 150 Twitter posts that explicitly referenced the blue whale challenge. We then deductively coded the YouTube videos based on the Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) safe messaging guidelines as a metric for the contagion risk associated with each video. RESULTS The thematic analysis revealed that social media users post about the blue whale challenge to raise awareness and discourage participation, express sorrow for the participants, criticize the participants, or describe a relevant experience. The deductive coding of the YouTube videos showed that most of the videos violated at least 50% of the SPRC safe and effective messaging guidelines. CONCLUSIONS These posts might have the problematic effect of normalizing the blue whale challenge through repeated exposure, modeling, and reinforcement of self-harming and suicidal behaviors, especially among vulnerable populations such as adolescents. More effort is needed to educate social media users and content generators on safe messaging guidelines and factors that encourage versus discourage contagion effects.

scholarly journals Examining the Self-Harm and Suicide Contagion Effects of the Blue Whale Challenge on YouTube and Twitter: Qualitative Study

10.2196/15973 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (6) ◽  
pp. e15973 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amro Khasawneh ◽  
Kapil Chalil Madathil ◽  
Emma Dixon ◽  
Pamela Wiśniewski ◽  
Heidi Zinzow ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Vulnerable Populations ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Suicidal Behaviors ◽  
Blue Whale ◽  
Contagion Effects ◽  
Direct Exposure ◽  
Self Harm ◽  
Youtube Videos ◽  
Contagion Risk

Background Research suggests that direct exposure to suicidal behaviors and acts of self-harm through social media may increase suicidality through imitation and modeling, particularly in more vulnerable populations. One example of a social media phenomenon that demonstrates how self-harming behavior could potentially be propagated is the blue whale challenge. Objective This paper aimed to investigate the way individuals portray the blue whale challenge on social media, with an emphasis on factors that could pose a risk to vulnerable populations. Methods We first used a thematic analysis approach to code 60 publicly posted YouTube videos, 1112 comments on those videos, and 150 Twitter posts that explicitly referenced the blue whale challenge. We then deductively coded the YouTube videos based on the Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) safe messaging guidelines as a metric for the contagion risk associated with each video. Results The thematic analysis revealed that social media users post about the blue whale challenge to raise awareness and discourage participation, express sorrow for the participants, criticize the participants, or describe a relevant experience. The deductive coding of the YouTube videos showed that most of the videos violated at least 50% of the SPRC safe and effective messaging guidelines. Conclusions These posts might have the problematic effect of normalizing the blue whale challenge through repeated exposure, modeling, and reinforcement of self-harming and suicidal behaviors, especially among vulnerable populations such as adolescents. More effort is needed to educate social media users and content generators on safe messaging guidelines and factors that encourage versus discourage contagion effects.

scholarly journals A Qualitative Analysis of Self-Harm and Suicide in Sri Lankan Printed Newspapers

Crisis ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Jane Brandt Sørensen ◽  
Melissa Pearson ◽  
Gregory Armstrong ◽  
Martin Wolf Andersen ◽  
Manjula Weerasinghe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Qualitative Analysis ◽  
Suicide Prevention ◽  
Suicidal Behavior ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Time Frame ◽  
Middle Income Country ◽  
Sri Lankan ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Self Harm

Abstract. Background: Media reporting may influence suicidal behavior. In-depth exploration of how self-harm and suicide are portrayed in newspaper articles in a middle-income country such as Sri Lanka is lacking. Aims: We aimed to explore how self-harm and suicide are portrayed in Sri Lankan printed newspapers. Method: Seven English- and Sinhala-language Sri Lankan newspapers were screened for articles reporting on self-harm and suicide (December 1, 2014 to January 31, 2015). A thematic analysis was conducted. Results: In the 78 articles identified for analysis, certain aspects were overemphasized (inappropriate behavior) and others underemphasized (alcohol and complexities of self-harm). Explanations of self-harm were one-sided and a suicide prevention narrative was lacking. Limitations: Another time-frame and inclusion of Tamil newspapers as well as social media and online publications would provide additional understanding. Conclusion: The study found an indication of simplistic reporting. Greater focus on prevention and a nuanced portrayal of self-harm could reduce stigma and imitative behavior.

The Voodoo Doll Self-Injury Task: A New Measure of Sub-Clinical Self-Harm Tendencies

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Skylan Chester ◽  
Tchiki Davis ◽  
C. Nathan DeWall
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Clinical Utility ◽  
Experimental Designs ◽  
Clinical Validity ◽  
Total N ◽  
Self Injury ◽  
Trait Level ◽  
Self Harm ◽  
Initial Support

We introduce a new measure of sub-clinical self-harm tendencies, the Voodoo Doll Self-Injury Task (VDSIT). In this computer task, participants virtually stick a number of sharp pins in a doll that represents themselves. Across five community and undergraduate samples who were not recruited based on their self-harm history or risk (total N = 1,289), VDSIT scores were higher among participants with histories of actual self-injury and were positively correlated with state and trait level motivations to self-harm. VDSIT scores did not correspond to tendencies to harm others, showed sensitivity to experimental manipulations that increase self-harm tendencies, and were positively correlated with established risk factors for self-harm (e.g., depression). The VDSIT did not, on average, elicit significant distress from participants during or after the task, even among participants who had previously engaged in self-harm. Whereas the clinical utility of this measure remains unexamined, these findings provide initial support for the VDSIT’s sub-clinical validity, which can help researchers accurately, economically, and rapidly measure state and trait level self-harm tendencies using both correlational and experimental designs.

scholarly journals Self-harm among in-school and street-connected adolescents in Ghana: a cross-sectional survey in the Greater Accra region

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. e041609
Author(s):  
Emmanuel Nii-Boye Quarshie ◽  
Farag Shuweihdi ◽  
Mitch Waterman ◽  
Allan House
Keyword(s):  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Self Injury ◽  
Significant Public Health Problem ◽  
Significant Public Health ◽  
Treatment Measures ◽  
Self Harm ◽  
Greater Accra Region

ObjectivesTo identify the prevalence, methods, associations and reported reasons for self-harm among in-school and street-connected adolescents in Ghana.DesignA cross-sectional survey. We applied multi-level regression models and model-based cluster analysis to the data.SettingThree contexts in the Greater Accra region were used: second cycle schools, facilities of charity organisations and street census enumeration areas (sleeping places of street-connected adolescents, street corners, quiet spots of restaurants, markets, train and bus stations, and lorry and car parks).ParticipantsA regionally representative sample of 2107 (1723 in-school and 384 street-connected) adolescents aged 13–21 years.Outcome measuresParticipants responded to a structured self-report anonymous questionnaire describing their experience of self-harm and eliciting demographic information and social and personal adversities.ResultsThe lifetime prevalence of self-harm was 20.2% (95% CI 19.0% to 22.0%), 12-month prevalence was 16.6% (95% CI 15.0% to 18.0%) and 1-month prevalence was 3.1% (95% CI 2.0% to 4.0%). Self-injury alone accounted for 54.5% episodes and self-poisoning alone for 16.2% episodes, with more than one method used in 26% of episodes. Self-cutting (38.7%) was the most common form of self-injury, whereas alcohol (39.2%) and medications (27.7%) were the most commonly reported means of self-poisoning. The factors associated with self-harm were interpersonal: conflict with parents (adjusted OR (aOR)=1.87, 95% CI 1.24 to 2.81), physical abuse victimisation (aOR=1.69, 95% CI 1.16 to 2.47), difficulty in making and keeping friends (aOR=1.24, 95% CI 0.85 to 1.80), sexual abuse victimisation (aOR=1.21, 95% CI 0.78 to 1.87) and conflict between parents (aOR=1.07, 95% CI 0.73 to 1.56).ConclusionsSelf-harm is a significant public health problem among in-school and street-connected adolescents in the Greater Accra region of Ghana. Its origins are very largely in social and familial adversity, and therefore prevention and treatment measures need to be focused in these areas.

Latent Class Analysis of Nonsuicidal Self-Injury Among Justice-Involved Juveniles: Association With Motivational and Emotional Aspects of Self-Harm Behavior

2021 ◽  
pp. 009385482199841
Author(s):  
Melinda Reinhardt ◽  
Zsolt Horváth ◽  
Boglárka Drubina ◽  
Gyöngyi Kökönyei ◽  
Kenneth G. Rice
Keyword(s):  
Latent Class Analysis ◽  
Latent Class ◽  
Juvenile Detention ◽  
Class Analysis ◽  
Detention Centers ◽  
Self Injury ◽  
Class 1 ◽  
Emotional Aspects ◽  
Self Harm ◽  
Nonsuicidal Self Injury

Significantly higher rates of nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) have been discovered among justice-involved juveniles. Our study aimed to discriminate homogeneous subgroups of justice-involved youth with different self-harm behavior characteristics based on latent class analysis. A total of 244 adolescents (92.6% boys; Mage = 16.99, SD = 1.28) in Hungarian juvenile detention centers completed measures of NSSI and dissociation. High-NSSI (Class 1; 9%), moderate-NSSI (Class 2; 42.6%), and low-NSSI (Class 3; 48.4%) profiles were detected relating to different forms of NSSI. Multiple comparisons showed that girls were members of Class 1 and 2 at higher rates and these subgroups showed significantly higher dissociation proportions than Class 3. Our findings pointed out diversity in self-harm profiles with different characteristics in terms of methods and severity of self-harm, experienced emotions, and other emotion regulation tendencies among justice-involved adolescents. These results suggest sophisticated treatment approaches to match variations in severity and presentation.

scholarly journals Framing of visual content shown on popular social media may affect viewers’ attitudes to threatened species

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fernando Ballejo ◽  
Pablo Ignacio Plaza ◽  
Sergio Agustín Lambertucci
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Threatened Species ◽  
Social Medium ◽  
Visual Content ◽  
Wildlife Species ◽  
Mammalian Predators ◽  
Negative Comments ◽  
Over Time ◽  
The Way

AbstractContent published on social media may affect user’s attitudes toward wildlife species. We evaluated viewers’ responses to videos published on a popular social medium, focusing particularly on how the content was framed (i.e., the way an issue is conveyed to transmit a certain meaning). We analyzed videos posted on YouTube that showed vultures interacting with livestock. The videos were negatively or positively framed, and we evaluated viewers’ opinions of these birds through the comments posted. We also analyzed negatively framed videos of mammalian predators interacting with livestock, to evaluate whether comments on this content were similar to those on vultures. We found that the framing of the information influenced the tone of the comments. Videos showing farmers talking about their livestock losses were more likely to provoke negative comments than videos not including farmer testimonies. The probability of negative comments being posted on videos about vultures was higher than for mammalian predators. Finally, negatively framed videos on vultures had more views over time than positive ones. Our results call for caution in the presentation of wildlife species online, and highlight the need for regulations to prevent the spread of misinformed videos that could magnify existing human-wildlife conflicts.

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