@article{ref1,
title="Self-reported explanations for self-injury by people with intellectual disabilities: a systematic review of qualitative studies",
journal="International journal of developmental disabilities",
year="2024",
author="Samways, Beverley and Heslop, Pauline and Dowling, Sandra",
volume="70",
number="3",
pages="382-396",
abstract="BACKGROUND: Emotional distress has received less attention as an explanatory factor for self-injury in people with intellectual disabilities, with research and practice primarily focusing on biobehavioural factors. This systematic review examines the self-reported explanations for self-injury by people with mild or moderate intellectual disabilities, and discusses how the findings contrast with those from self-reported studies of people within the general population who self-harm. <br><br>METHODS: Five databases (PsychINFO, IBSS, CINAHL, Web of Science and Medline) were systematically searched to find qualitative, empirical research since 2000 about self-reported reasons for self-injury. <br><br>RESULTS: Four studies were found which conducted research with people with intellectual disabilities. Three primary themes are discussed: relief from overwhelming emotions; trauma and loss; and difficulty in articulating emotions. <br><br>CONCLUSION: This review found a paucity of research asking people with intellectual disabilities about their own self-injury. However, the research available suggests that explanatory factors for self-injury typically reported in the general population should be considered for those with mild or moderate intellectual disabilities.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="2047-3869",
doi="10.1080/20473869.2022.2098665",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/20473869.2022.2098665"
}