Self-Harm Recovery for Second-Generation Asian Canadians: Factors that Help and Hinder

Self-harm recovery is a common clinical concern and can be influenced by various factors, including culture. This may affect second-generation Asian Canadians, who are raised within a Western host culture while also attempting to retain aspects of their Eastern culture of origin. Therefore, this study sought to explore what helped and hindered the self-harm recovery process in the lives of 15 second-generation Asian Canadians and Americans. Employing the Enhanced Critical Incident Technique (ECIT), participants identified 19 helping, hindering, and wish list categories, which included activities and alternatives, cultural and contextual factors, financial/life stability, family members, friends, peers, and other social supports, intolerance from others, intrapersonal factors, media and role models, professional supports, and romantic partners. The results can help practitioners, caregivers, other professionals, and individuals struggling with self-harm better understand and support the self-harm recovery process. Contributions to the field, practical implications, and limitations of the research are also discussed.