@article{ref1,
title="An exploration of family dynamics in adults who self-harm",
journal="Irish journal of psychological medicine",
year="2021",
author="Buckmaster, Ruth and McNulty, Muireann and Guerin, Suzanne",
volume="ePub",
number="ePub",
pages="ePub-ePub",
abstract="OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to explore how adults who self-harm experience family relationships. <br><br>METHODS: A phenomenological design was employed to examine the dynamic relationship between self-harm and family systems. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six female adults who attend a community mental health service and engage in self-harm. Transcripts were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). <br><br>RESULTS: Four superordinate themes emerged from the data and two subordinate themes emerged within each superordinate theme: family interactive patterns (subordinate themes: enmeshed patterns and culture of 'getting on with it'), searching for meaning (subordinate themes: expressing emotional turmoil and engrained worthlessness), relating to others (subordinate themes: guilt and feeling misunderstood) and journey towards life without self-harm (subordinate themes: acceptance and family support). <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Findings emphasise the role of family systems in understanding self-harm in adults. The study highlights the need for family-based interventions for family members who support adults that self-harm.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0790-9667",
doi="10.1017/ipm.2021.59",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/ipm.2021.59"
}