A Qualitative Study on the Process of Self-Harm and Its Cessation among Adolescents

The purpose of this study is to qualitatively explore adolescents' experiences with self-harm and the process of cessation. To this end, in-depth interviews were conducted with seven adolescents who had experienced self-harm, and Giorgi's phenomenological analysis procedure was utilized. The findings revealed that participants experienced adverse environments, such as school bullying, parental conflict and divorce, and abuse, prior to engaging in self-harm. They reported an inability to share their psychological distress with anyone, self-blame and self-hatred, and being driven to a state where enduring on their own became unbearable. During the process of self-harm, participants described it as a means to express their extreme suffering and a defense mechanism to avoid death despite feeling overwhelmed. However, repeated cycles of cessation and resumption led to the intensification of self-harm and increased the risk of suicide attempts. In the cessation process, key factors that prompted participants to stop self-harming included seeing a parent’s tears, forming supportive friendships, receiving attention and care from teachers or counselors, a shift in self-perception and self-compassion, and developing future aspirations. These elements provided a sense of value that outweighed the act of self-harm. Additionally, practical challenges, such as the inconvenience of concealing scars, fear of unintended consequences, and the tedious nature of preparing and executing self-harm acts, contributed to hesitations about resuming self-harm after cessation. Factors supporting sustained cessation included professional interventions such as medication and counseling, sharing experiences with friends, and changes in coping strategies for stress. Based on these findings, the study discusses strategies to support the maintenance of self-harm cessation among adolescents.