Exploring Individuals’ Experiences of Body Modification and Self-Harm: Is There a Relationship?

Paper one is a narrative literature review of nine studies. It reviews the current evidence base regarding what is known about the relationship between body modification and mental health. Four main categories were reported: associations between body modifications and mental health; associations between number of body modifications and mental health; associations between body modifications and past abuse; and associations of body modifications with risk behaviours. The findings of these studies were mixed. All included studies had some methodological flaws but were regarded as of fair to good quality. All reviewed studies were cross-sectional making it impossible to determine the direction of the relationship between body modifications and mental health.
Paper two is an empirical study which explored the experiences of body modification in eight UK women with experience of self-harm behaviours. There are similarities between these behaviours, but associations between them has received little attention in the literature to date. Interviews were conducted using instant messaging services and telephone. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis was used to identify two superordinate themes linking body modifications and self-harm behaviours: Coping Strategies and Body Modifications as Protective. The findings are discussed, along with clinical implications, limitations and suggestions for further research in this area.
Paper three is an executive summary. This has been written as an accessible document intended for dissemination of the findings to the general population. The research method, findings, clinical implications and suggestions for further research have been summarised within this report.