Beyond Cutting: Restorying Self-Injury

Identifier

1042

Author

Brittany E. Presson

Date

2014

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Major

Sociology

Committee Chair

Carol Rambo

Committee Member

Jeni Loftus

Committee Member

Larry Petersen

Abstract

Using autoethnographic accounts from the author and the literature as a starting point, this researcher conducted in-depth life history interviews with former self-injurers. This research problematizes current perceptions of self-injury by looking beyond the typical pro/con debates and pathologizing discourses used to define and interpret self-injury. My specific research question is, "In what ways, if any, does self-injury serve as a narrative resource when self-injurers tell the story of their life?" Study participants engaged in biographical work that both affirmed and resisted the pathologizing discourses used by both researchers and mainstream society regarding their identity.

Comments

Data is provided by the student.

Library Comment

Dissertation or thesis originally submitted to the local University of Memphis Electronic Theses & dissertation (ETD) Repository.

Recommended Citation

Presson, Brittany E., "Beyond Cutting: Restorying Self-Injury" (2014). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 880.
https://digitalcommons.memphis.edu/etd/880