Att skada sig själv - ett rationellt val i en problematisk kontext

Abstract

Acts of self-injuring are usually seen as related to mental health issues, and those who self-injure are often regarded as in need of psychiatric or psychological treatment. As self-injuring is presently frequent among youth, there is reason to reconsider this assumption. To understand self-injuring acts among young people these acts need to be related to the sociocultural context, with focus on the areas of action of the young person. Self-injuring acts can be a strategy to cope with the tensions of problematic situations in the family or in the school. We argue in favour of preventive work in society to prevent self-injuring acts among the young and suggest concrete actions in the social context, primarily in the school, to support those who have already started self-injuring.

Key words: self-injuring acts, adolescents, prevention, school