Experience of self-harm and its treatment in looked-after young people: An interpretative phenomenological analysis.

Ruth Wadman, M Armstrong, D Clarke, C Harroe, P Majumder, K Sayal, P Vostanis, E Townsend

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Objectives: We report the first Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis examination of
self-harm and experience of clinical services in young people in the public care system.
Methods: Qualitative interviews with 24 looked-after young people. Results: Prevalent
themes were 1) Changes in care placement, 2) Feelings of anger, 3) Not wanting/feeling able
to talk, 4) Developing coping techniques, 5) Clinical services: A relational mixed bag
(subthemes: feeling (i) patronised, not listened to, (ii) nothing being done, (iii)
comfortable/able to talk). Conclusions: Placement change and anger were highly salient to
self-harm in this group and experiences of clinical services depended on individual
relationships with clinicians. Implications include increasing compassion in therapeutic
relationships, recognizing and managing emotional dysregulation and increasing support
during placement changes.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1-27
Number of pages27
JournalArchives Suicide Research
Early online date8 Aug 2017
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 7 Sept 2017

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