TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2021//
TI  - An exploration of family dynamics in adults who self-harm
JO  - Irish journal of psychological medicine
A1  - Buckmaster, Ruth
A1  - McNulty, Muireann
A1  - Guerin, Suzanne
SP  - ePub
EP  - ePub
VL  - ePub
IS  - ePub
N2  - 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>
LA  - en
SN  - 0790-9667
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/ipm.2021.59
ID  - ref1
ER  -