Perspectives from Young Australian Women with Lived Experience on Why Rates of Self-Harm Are Increasing: A Qualitative Study

Rates of self-harm in Australian young people have increased significantly in recent years, especially in young women. Self-harm has been associated with several risk factors, including a history of abuse, bullying, mood and personality disorders, social isolation and suicidal ideation. However, little is known about why rates have increased in the past decade, and the voices of young Australian women have been conspicuously absent from the research. This study explored perceived subjective reasons for the increase in self-harm rates by interviewing 24 young Australian women with lived experience of self-harming behaviours. A reflexive thematic analysis identified three interwoven themes: ‘The world is hard, and it’s getting harder’, ‘New media exacerbates old challenges’, and ‘The online world brings unique challenges’. Participants also highlighted the complexity of social media as both a negative influence and a supportive factor. These themes extend previous research by highlighting the nuanced and multi-faceted psychosocial factors that influence self-harming behaviours and may help inform effective, evidence-based strategies that help minimise harm.