Slang and Self-Harm: A Qualitative Exploration of the Usage of Slang on Reddit Self-Harm Communities

Background: Language is an integral part of our daily conversations, shaping thoughts, emotions, and behaviour. Slang forms an integral part of language and is a highly colloquial and informal vocabulary that often has an in-group meaning different from its usual one. This characteristic makes it an integral marker of in-group solidarity for people with shared experiences, such as self-harming. Users in self-harm peer support groups increasingly use slang to communicate their self-harm experience. This study aimed to explore and capture the usage of such slang in self-harm peer support groups to investigate this sharing of experience. Method: Slang terms were analysed from two self-harm peer support groups on Reddit. A list of the most frequently used slang terms was compiled based on two popular posts explaining the slang words. The PRAW Reddit API was used to conduct a preliminary analysis of the most frequently used slang terms from this list and then to source user posts containing the identified slang words. The study excluded posts that did not contain the slang word or used the word in its literal meaning. Conventional content analysis was used to extract codes from the data and identify key concepts and themes. The codes were then grouped into categories and domains for further analysis. Results: 239 and 241 posts were analysed on two Reddit communities. Differences in the words usage between the groups were found, reflecting the groups purposes. Instead, the most common domains ranged from discussing medical care for wounds, seeking support, inquiring about the wound type, and themes of relapse and abstinence. Discussion and Conclusion: This study compiled a list of the most prevalent slang words used within these peer support groups and the key concepts that they portray. The domains analysed provide a foundation for further research on the role of slang in self-harm peer support groups. Clinicians and healthcare professionals can also utilise detailed knowledge about these slang words to penetrate the in-group culture and make meaning of their clients' self-harming experiences. Thus, this study highlights the importance of understanding the role of slang in shaping the perspectives of individuals with shared experiences.