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

Abstract

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.

Keywords:

• Methodology
• self-harm
• suicidality
• social media
• scoping review

Acknowledgments

A great thanks to librarian Jette Meelbye from the Health Sciences Library at the North Zealand Hospital for assistance with this review.

Authors’ contributions

All authors have contributed significantly to the development of the study, while MEH, LDØ and MN were responsible for the screening. All authors participated in the analysis of the included articles, as well as in supervising MEH in the writing of the article.

Consent for publication

All authors have approved the submitted manuscript and provided consent for its publication.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Ethics approval and consent to participate

Not applicable.

Data availability statement

All data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this published article and its supplementary information files.

Additional information

Funding

This research is part of a Ph.D. project funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation (Grant number NNF20OC0066179). The funder had no role in the development, implementation, or completion of the study. The authors declare no competing interests.