Self-injury, also known as self-harm or self-inflicted violence, refers to the intentional, direct injuring of one's own body tissue without suicidal intent. This behavior is often used as a coping mechanism for dealing with overwhelming emotional distress, pain, or feelings of numbness. Self-injury can take various forms, such as cutting, burning, hitting, or scratching oneself. Research in this area focuses on understanding the underlying psychological, social, and biological factors that contribute to self-injury. This includes examining risk factors, such as trauma, abuse, mental illness, and substance abuse, as well as exploring the motivations and functions of self-injury as a behavior. Researchers also study effective prevention and intervention strategies for individuals who engage in self-injury, including therapy, support groups, and medication. Overall, the goal of research in this area is to increase awareness, reduce stigma, and improve treatment outcomes for individuals struggling with self-injury.