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1 results

  • An exploration of family dynamics in adults who self-harm

  • Ruth Buckmaster, Muireann McNulty, Suzanne Guerin
  • Journal:
    Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine / Volume 41 / Issue 1 / March 2024
    Published online by Cambridge University Press:
    04 October 2021, pp. 37-45
    Print publication:
    March 2024
    • Article
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      • Open access
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  • Objectives:

    The aim of the present study was to explore how adults who self-harm experience family relationships.

    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).

    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).

    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.