Exploring Self-Harming Behaviour: Psychological Disorder or Response to Adversity?

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cityu.schoolDivision of Arts and Sciences
cityu.siteVictoria
cityu.site.countryCanada
dc.contributor.authorCzmielewski, Kelly
dc.date.accessioned2016-09-19T19:29:34Z
dc.date.available2016-09-19T19:29:34Z
dc.date.issued2006-10
dc.description.abstractThis pilot project explores the use of self-harming behaviours, specifically cutting and burning, and the pathologizing of these behaviours by professionals in the mental health field. A brief examination of the history of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual and its classification system is applied to the participants' experience. Two participants were interviewed using a semi-structured Response-Based approach. Their experience of cutting/burning, their understanding of their diagnosis, and the social responses they experienced after people found out about their self-harming behaviours and their diagnosis were the topics focused upon. Results suggest that there is a relationship between context and the use of self-harming behaviours. The use of cutting/burning appears to be an effective and deliberate strategy to alleviate distress. Considered in context, this behaviour does not appear to be pathological. I propose an alternative to viewing these responses as symptoms of a psychological disorder.
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11803/483
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisher.institutionCity University of Seattle (CityU)
dc.subjectresponse-based therapy
dc.subjectself-harming behaviors
dc.subjectdiagnosis of self-harming behaviors
dc.titleExploring Self-Harming Behaviour: Psychological Disorder or Response to Adversity?
dc.typeThesis
thesis.degree.disciplineCounseling
thesis.degree.grantorCity University of Seattle (CityU)
thesis.degree.levelMasters
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Arts
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