TY - JOUR

T1 - What methods are used in research of firsthand experiences with online self-harming and suicidal behavior?

T2 - A scoping review

AU - Holm, Malene Eiberg

AU - Østergaard, Louise Dorner

AU - Aamund, Kate

AU - Jørgensen, Kim

AU - Midtgaard, Julie

AU - Vinberg, Maj

AU - Nordentoft, Merete

PY - 2024

Y1 - 2024

N2 - BACKGROUND: Online self-harming and suicidal behavior is a novel and rapidly increasing phenomenon warranting comprehensive mapping of used research methods.AIM: To identify and map how knowledge on online self-harming and suicidal behavior is gathered, including how data are collected e.g. questionnaires and interviews.METHODS: The review follows the Joanna Briggs Institute Manual for Scoping Reviews in tandem with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews. A keyword search of three electronic databases was conducted on two occasions, yielding 5422 records. Following duplicate removal, the records were screened based on the following inclusion criterions; (1) in English or Nordic language and published between 2011-2022, (2) presenting results for self-harming and/or suicidal behavior on social media and (3) using tools for either interview or questionnaire aiming at assessment of the experience of online self-harming and suicidal behavior from the perspective of the person who engages in the behavior. A total of 64 articles were included.RESULTS: 45 used questionnaires, 17 used interviews, and two studies mixed the two approaches. 17% of the studies had made some effort to ensure validity within the questionnaires and 15.8% gave full access to the interview guide.CONCLUSION: Research into online self-harming and suicidal behavior is characterized by a lack of validated measurements and methodological transparency. The results emphasize a need for further development, testing, and validation of questionnaires and greater openness and reflexivity in qualitative methodology to enable cross-study comparison and advance knowledge of this complex phenomenon.

AB - BACKGROUND: Online self-harming and suicidal behavior is a novel and rapidly increasing phenomenon warranting comprehensive mapping of used research methods.AIM: To identify and map how knowledge on online self-harming and suicidal behavior is gathered, including how data are collected e.g. questionnaires and interviews.METHODS: The review follows the Joanna Briggs Institute Manual for Scoping Reviews in tandem with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews. A keyword search of three electronic databases was conducted on two occasions, yielding 5422 records. Following duplicate removal, the records were screened based on the following inclusion criterions; (1) in English or Nordic language and published between 2011-2022, (2) presenting results for self-harming and/or suicidal behavior on social media and (3) using tools for either interview or questionnaire aiming at assessment of the experience of online self-harming and suicidal behavior from the perspective of the person who engages in the behavior. A total of 64 articles were included.RESULTS: 45 used questionnaires, 17 used interviews, and two studies mixed the two approaches. 17% of the studies had made some effort to ensure validity within the questionnaires and 15.8% gave full access to the interview guide.CONCLUSION: Research into online self-harming and suicidal behavior is characterized by a lack of validated measurements and methodological transparency. The results emphasize a need for further development, testing, and validation of questionnaires and greater openness and reflexivity in qualitative methodology to enable cross-study comparison and advance knowledge of this complex phenomenon.

KW - Humans

KW - Suicidal Ideation

KW - Self-Injurious Behavior

KW - Surveys and Questionnaires

U2 - 10.1080/08039488.2024.2306504

DO - 10.1080/08039488.2024.2306504

M3 - Review

C2 - 38270399

VL - 78

SP - 165

EP - 180

JO - Nordic Journal of Psychiatry, Supplement

JF - Nordic Journal of Psychiatry, Supplement

SN - 0803-9496

IS - 3

ER -