Contributions of Winnicott’s Psychoanalytic Theory to the Study of Self-injury: A Scoping Review

Abstract: This study aimed to map the scientific evidence and contributions of Winnicott’s Psychoanalytic Theory to the study of self-injury (also known as self-harm). Familial, social, political and historical environments are deeply entangled with individual distress, and Winnicott’s psychoanalytic theory offers relevant contributions to rethinking self-injury as this contextualized issue. The authors conducted a scoping review in the BVS, Scopus, PsycInfo, and Web of Science databases, selecting 36 studies. The thematic analysis resulted in three categories: the role of skin in the constitution of the self, self-harm as survival/reaction to environmental invasions, and implications of Winnicottian perspective for the care of non-suicidal self-injury. This study questioned dualistic and conventional notions of self-harm as a disorder, addiction, or coping strategy, alternatively presenting deeper and more subtle ways of thinking about its meanings. Finally, it is suggested that caring for people who self-harm should focus more on exploring these meanings than on seeking abstinence.