The Punished Self, the Unknown Self, and the Harmed Self – Toward a More Nuanced Understanding of Self-Harm Among Adolescent Girls

Self-harm among adolescents, mostly girls, has increased in the last years. is associated with mental illness and risk of suicide. This qualitative study aims to explore lived experience self-harm as it related everyday life challenges adolescents. Nineteen girls (13–18 years age) a clinical population (strategic selection) participated personal interviews analyzed by Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis capture how they made meaning essential features experiencing self-harm. Adult persons first-hand were included research analysis. Data-analysis resulted three superordinate themes which all speak about ways handle inner pain vulnerability: 1. “I deserve pain,” 2. don't want feel anything,” 3. “I'm harmed, no one cares.” Each theme four main characterizing difficult experiences during self-harm, purpose action, self-descriptions, role others The are discussed emerging self-representations – “the punished self,” unknown harmed self” transitional age adolescence. article argues that subjective data on adolescents' lives may indicate diversity capacity integrate needs, feelings, traumatic part self. knowledge bring nuanced understanding adolescence, enhance self-understanding treatment motivation, inform adjustment.