Linguistic Analysis of Nonsuicidal Self-Injury Reddit Posts

Implications for Family Therapy

Bibliographic Data

ID21638751
AuthorsMandy M Greaves (0000-0003-0614-5916, Department of Counselor Education and Rehabilitation, California State University, Fresno and College of Education, Fresno, CA, USA, corresponding author), Cass Dykeman (0000-0001-7708-1409, Counseling Academic Unit, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA)
Year2024
Volume32
Issue4
Pages613-618
Publication date2024-10-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueThe Family Journal (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1066-4807 • E-ISSN: 1552-3950
PublisherSAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/10664807241248177
OpenAlexW4396675253
LanguageEN
References cited22

Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a growing phenomenon, yet there is still a limited understanding of the behavior, intent behind the behavior and what individuals themselves say about their behavior. This study collected pro-NSSI public blog posts from Reddit and analyzed the content linguistically using Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count software, to examine the use of NSSI specific words, linguistic and psychological linguistic properties. The results inform current mental health practices by dispelling myths and providing insight into the inner world of people who engage in NSSI. The linguistic properties found in the analysis reflected the predicted results; authors of pro-NSSI posts used first-person singular pronouns extensively, indicating high levels of mental health distress and isolation. This study demonstrates how understanding the language of self-harm can help inform mental health treatment using family therapy

Distress · Harm · Linguistic analysis · Linguistics · Mental health · Poison control · Psychotherapist · Suicide prevention · Clinical Psychology · Digital Mental Health Interventions · Medicine · Mental Health via Writing · Psychology · Social Psychology · Suicide and Self-Harm Studies

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