self-reported

The word is a modern English compound formed by transparently combining native and borrowed elements. The core noun 'self,' from Proto-Germanic selbaz, establishes the reflexive agent. It is prefixed to the verb 'report,' which entered English from Old French 'reporter,' itself from Latin 'reportare' ('to carry back'). The participial suffix '-ed' completes the construction, converting the verbal phrase into an adjectival form. The term's logic is entirely compositional: it literally describes something that has been recounted or accounted for by the very person it concerns, a concept essential in social science, medical, and survey research methodologies where first-person accounts are the primary data source.

Structure: self + report + ed self: (Old English) A noun/pronoun root meaning "one's own person." In this compound, it functions as a modifier meaning "by oneself." report: (Latin via Old French) A verb root meaning "to bring back, relate, give an account." In this compound, it functions as the core action. ed: (Old English) A suffix forming the past participle of verbs, here used to create a participial adjective meaning "having been reported."