Citation

Brennan CA, Crosby H, Sass C, Farley KL, Bryant LD, Rodriquez-Lopez R, Romeu D, Mitchell E, House AO, Guthrie E. J. Public Health (Oxford) 2022; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2022, Oxford University Press)

DOI

10.1093/pubmed/fdac022

PMID

35211734

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Self-harm is an important public health problem but therapeutic interventions, particularly for people who have a history of multiple repetition, are not always taken up or effective when they are. The aim of this review is to explore first-hand accounts of what helps outside therapy and identify actions and processes, which can support the reduction or cessation of self-harm.

METHODS: A systematic review and thematic meta-synthesis of the first-person accounts of what has helped to reduce or stop self-harm reported in primary studies.

RESULTS: The meta-synthesis combined 546 participant excerpts from 56 studies. Two over-arching themes were identified: (i) breaking the chain incorporated actions taken to break the link between a person's current psychological or social state and the act of self-harm and (ii) building a new foundation for change captured actions over the longer-term, focusing on practical changes in relationships and in a person's way of life, such as work or living arrangements.

CONCLUSIONS: The results emphasize the importance of interpersonal change in reducing or stopping self-harm. While interpersonal factors are acknowledged as important reasons behind self-harm, they are often under-represented in self-management advice and therapeutic interventions that focus on individual psychopathology.

Language: en

Keywords

self-harm; systematic review; cessation; meta-synthesis; self-management