Citation

Wu CY, Whitley R, Stewart R, Liu SI. J. Nurs. Res. 2012; 20(1): 32-42.

Affiliation

1RN, PhD, Lecturer, Department of Nursing, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, ROC 2PhD, Research Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Dartmouth Psychiatric Research Center, New Hampshire, USA 3MD, Clinical Reader, Section of Health Services and Population Research, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London 4MD, PhD, Attending Physician, Department of Psychiatry, Mackay Memorial Hospital, and Adjunct Associate Professor, Department of Nursing, Mackay Medicine Nursing and Management College, Taiwan, ROC.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, Taiwan Nurses Association, Publisher Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1097/JNR.0b013e3182466e64

PMID

22333964

Abstract

BACKGROUND:: Help-seeking behavior may protect people from harming themselves. However, few studies have discussed how and why people access lay or professional help prior to self-harm. PURPOSE:: This study explored the subjective experiences of individuals with deliberate self-harm in terms of help-seeking behavior and medical care pathways. METHODS:: Researchers performed qualitative in-depth interviews and content analysis and used a sampling grid to recruit participants. Twenty emergency attendees between the ages of 18-55 years were interviewed on their help-seeking pathways and experiences using a standardized topic guide. RESULTS:: Participants identified friends, family members, healthcare personnel, and their own initiative as the primary medical care pathways. Analysis showed help-seeking experiences significantly related to the physician-patient relationship, social support, and treatment adherence. These factors were also identified as prominent themes related to medical help-seeking behavior. CONCLUSIONS:: Supportive attitudes and continuous care from formal and informal sources of help may facilitate help-seeking behavior, whereas negative influences from close friends or relatives may trigger a self-harm episode. Medication stockpiling and the negative aspects of close relationships should be addressed and minimized to raise the effectiveness of self-harm or suicide prevention efforts.

Language: en