The Relationship Between Portrayals of Nonsuicidal Self-Injury, Attitudes, Knowledge, and Behavior

Background: The high prevalence of nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) among young people has prompted research into why this may be a chosen coping strategy. One possibility is that the behavior is modeled from media depictions. Aims: The study examined the relationship between viewing films featuring N...

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Main Authors: Radovic, Sara, Hasking, Penelope
Format: Journal Article
Published: Hogrefe Publishing 2013
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/42945
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author Radovic, Sara
Hasking, Penelope
author_facet Radovic, Sara
Hasking, Penelope
author_sort Radovic, Sara
building Curtin Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description Background: The high prevalence of nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) among young people has prompted research into why this may be a chosen coping strategy. One possibility is that the behavior is modeled from media depictions. Aims: The study examined the relationship between viewing films featuring NSSI and an individuals’ knowledge, attitudes toward, and engagement in NSSI. Method: 317 individuals (18–30 years) completed an online survey measuring these key variables. Results: Exposure to NSSI in film was related to history of NSSI; an even stronger relationship emerged when individuals identified with the character. Films increase knowledge and empathy toward those engaging NSSI, but they may also serve to trigger NSSI. Conclusions: Portrayal of NSSI in film could be designedto minimize imitation and to consider the potential to increase knowledge of NSSI among those with little exposure to the behavior. However, because films may also trigger NSSI, further work is needed to determine under what circumstances, and for which individuals, films exert a protective or harmful effect.
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spelling curtin-20.500.11937-429452017-09-13T15:15:03Z The Relationship Between Portrayals of Nonsuicidal Self-Injury, Attitudes, Knowledge, and Behavior Radovic, Sara Hasking, Penelope Background: The high prevalence of nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) among young people has prompted research into why this may be a chosen coping strategy. One possibility is that the behavior is modeled from media depictions. Aims: The study examined the relationship between viewing films featuring NSSI and an individuals’ knowledge, attitudes toward, and engagement in NSSI. Method: 317 individuals (18–30 years) completed an online survey measuring these key variables. Results: Exposure to NSSI in film was related to history of NSSI; an even stronger relationship emerged when individuals identified with the character. Films increase knowledge and empathy toward those engaging NSSI, but they may also serve to trigger NSSI. Conclusions: Portrayal of NSSI in film could be designedto minimize imitation and to consider the potential to increase knowledge of NSSI among those with little exposure to the behavior. However, because films may also trigger NSSI, further work is needed to determine under what circumstances, and for which individuals, films exert a protective or harmful effect. 2013 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/42945 10.1027/0227-5910/a000199 Hogrefe Publishing restricted
spellingShingle Radovic, Sara
Hasking, Penelope
The Relationship Between Portrayals of Nonsuicidal Self-Injury, Attitudes, Knowledge, and Behavior
title The Relationship Between Portrayals of Nonsuicidal Self-Injury, Attitudes, Knowledge, and Behavior
title_full The Relationship Between Portrayals of Nonsuicidal Self-Injury, Attitudes, Knowledge, and Behavior
title_fullStr The Relationship Between Portrayals of Nonsuicidal Self-Injury, Attitudes, Knowledge, and Behavior
title_full_unstemmed The Relationship Between Portrayals of Nonsuicidal Self-Injury, Attitudes, Knowledge, and Behavior
title_short The Relationship Between Portrayals of Nonsuicidal Self-Injury, Attitudes, Knowledge, and Behavior
title_sort relationship between portrayals of nonsuicidal self-injury, attitudes, knowledge, and behavior
url http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/42945