As part of the National Inquiry into Self-Harm Among Young People, the Camelot Foundation and Mental Health Foundation commissioned the Scottish Development Centre for Mental Health (SDC) and the Research Unit in Health, Behaviour and Change (RUHBC) to undertake a review of literature on self-cutting. The remit for the review was to identify and review UK published and ‘grey’ literature focusing
As part of the National Inquiry into Self-Harm Among Young People, the Camelot Foundation and Mental Health Foundation commissioned the Scottish Development Centre for Mental Health (SDC) and the Research Unit in Health, Behaviour and Change (RUHBC) to undertake a review of literature on self-cutting. The remit for the review was to identify and review UK published and ‘grey’ literature focusing on self-cutting among young people. To ensure as comprehensive a review as practicable the remit was extended to include international (English language) material relating to self-cutting, or which included self-cutting as one form of self-mutilative behaviour; and studies that included, but extended beyond, young people aged 11 to 25 years. The three core aims of the review were to inform an understanding of: patterns of prevalence and incidence of self-cutting among young people; the risk and protective factors associated with self-cutting; and preventative and therapeutic interventions.
Institute for Research and Innovation in Social Services
Publication year:
2013
Pagination:
23
Place of publication:
Glasgow
This Insight examines how suicide and self-harm are complex issues which arouse difficult and distressing emotions both within people who hurt themselves and those who love and care for them. When children hurt or try to kill themselves, adults responsible for them often feel confused, powerless and overwhelmed. If these children are looked after away from their families then all
(Edited publisher abstract)
This Insight examines how suicide and self-harm are complex issues which arouse difficult and distressing emotions both within people who hurt themselves and those who love and care for them. When children hurt or try to kill themselves, adults responsible for them often feel confused, powerless and overwhelmed. If these children are looked after away from their families then all the professionals involved with them must be able to provide them with the understanding and support they required. Draws out key issues from research and literature to provide greater understanding of this area. Many important studies reported in this paper are quantitative or have been undertaken from a medical perspective but in reviewing them it is important to maintain a focus on the pain and emotional complexities for all involved.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
looked after children, suicide, self-harm, leaving care, literature reviews;
International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 22(8), August 2007, pp.720-732.
Publisher:
Wiley
... this review and to summarise the advances in our understanding of DSH in later life. Relevant studies published between 1995 and 2004 are critically reviewed to summarise advances in the understanding of factors associated with deliberate self-harm in later life. The main advances in understanding have been to clarify the effect of personality and cultural factors, service utilisation pre and post attempt, are population-based. Such approaches might confirm or refute the results generated to date and improve knowledge on factors such as the biological correlates of deliberate self-harm, service utilisation, costs and barriers to health care, and the interaction of these factors. Intervention studies to elucidate the impact of modifying these factors and of specific treatment packages are also needed.
In 1996 Draper reviewed critically the evidence on attempted suicide in old age in the 10 years between 1985 and 1994. The review highlighted a need for prospective controlled studies in older people with more representative samples as well as studies examining the interaction of risk factors, precipitants, motivations, psychopathology and response to treatment. The aim of this paper is to update this review and to summarise the advances in our understanding of DSH in later life. Relevant studies published between 1995 and 2004 are critically reviewed to summarise advances in the understanding of factors associated with deliberate self-harm in later life. The main advances in understanding have been to clarify the effect of personality and cultural factors, service utilisation pre and post attempt, and the (lesser) impact of socio-economic status and physical illness. Methodological weaknesses continue to include inadequate sample sizes performed on highly selected populations, inconsistent age criteria and lack of informant data on studies relating to role of personality. The authors conclude that future studies should include prospective, cross-cultural research with adequate sample sizes and which are population-based. Such approaches might confirm or refute the results generated to date and improve knowledge on factors such as the biological correlates of deliberate self-harm, service utilisation, costs and barriers to health care, and the interaction of these factors. Intervention studies to elucidate the impact of modifying these factors and of specific treatment packages are also needed.
Subject terms:
literature reviews, older people, risk, self-harm, attempted suicide;
Mental Health Review Journal, 19(1), 2014, pp.61-71.
Publisher:
Emerald
... and self-harm resources on the internet and to establish a consensus about what constitutes harmful and helpful exchange. This needs to be based on: a comprehensive and informed range of search terms; a clear distinction between types of resource; a clear and consistent rationale for distinguishing and categorizing sites; a systematic replicable methodology for plotting the scope, content, accessibility,
(Publisher abstract)
Purpose: The internet plays an important role in the lives of self-harming and suicidal young people yet little is known about how internet use influences this behaviour. The purpose of this paper is to examine the evidence base with a view to determining directions for future research and practice.
Design/methodology/approach: Literature relating to self-harming and suicidal behaviour, young people, and the internet is reviewed with a focus on content and methodology.
Findings: The internet provides access to: “how-to” descriptions of suicide; unregulated/illegal online pharmacies; forums to spread this information; access to others seeking to end their own lives. Such sites are believed to elevate risk amongst vulnerable individuals. Conversely, the internet provides access to intervention and prevention activity, online support groups, advice, and personal chat. These can be a key resource in helping young people. There is a lack of consensus on what constitutes harmful and helpful online exchange, often evidenced in disparity between the perceptions of professionals and users.
Research limitations/implications – Research is needed to map out a more accurate picture of suicide and self-harm resources on the internet and to establish a consensus about what constitutes harmful and helpful exchange. This needs to be based on: a comprehensive and informed range of search terms; a clear distinction between types of resource; a clear and consistent rationale for distinguishing and categorizing sites; a systematic replicable methodology for plotting the scope, content, accessibility, and popularity of web resources at a given point in time; the views of young people who use these sites, as well as practitioners and professionals.
Practical implications: Practitioners need to: regularly assess the quantity, quality, and nature of self-harm/suicide focused internet use amongst service users; be aware of which sites are most appropriate for particular individuals; promote sites directed at young people that enhance effective coping. Professional mental health organizations need to find ways of ensuring that: they are consistently well represented amongst search results online; sites are readily accessible; more practitioners are trained in text-based communications.
Originality/value: This paper offers a framework and rationale for future research and for those involved in service provision, policy, and practice.
(Publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
internet, prevention, suicide, young people, self-harm, literature reviews, information technology;
Journal of Forensic Practice, 15(3), 2013, pp.192-205.
Publisher:
Emerald
Purpose: This paper aims to review research of relevance to women with learning disabilities, focusing in particular on literature which is applicable to women with learning disabilities who use forensic services.
Design/methodology/approach: Research involving women with learning disabilities over the past 30 years was sought out and reviewed, and literature relating to women living in locked wards (including those without learning disabilities) was focused upon. Related themes such as the BPD diagnosis, self injury, and aggression are explored.
Findings: The author found very little research relating to women with learning disabilities who use secure services, particularly which included quotes from the women themselves.
Research limitations/implications: The author recommends that more research in this area is needed, primarily research which includes the voices of women service users themselves.
Originality/value – This paper will be relevant to all staff who work with women in secure services.
(Publisher abstract)
Purpose: This paper aims to review research of relevance to women with learning disabilities, focusing in particular on literature which is applicable to women with learning disabilities who use forensic services.
Design/methodology/approach: Research involving women with learning disabilities over the past 30 years was sought out and reviewed, and literature relating to women living in locked wards (including those without learning disabilities) was focused upon. Related themes such as the BPD diagnosis, self injury, and aggression are explored.
Findings: The author found very little research relating to women with learning disabilities who use secure services, particularly which included quotes from the women themselves.
Research limitations/implications: The author recommends that more research in this area is needed, primarily research which includes the voices of women service users themselves.
Originality/value – This paper will be relevant to all staff who work with women in secure services.
(Publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
secure units, women, learning disabilities, literature reviews, offenders, self-harm;
Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, 8(2), June 2011, pp.104-112.
Publisher:
Wiley
Prader–Willi syndrome (PSW) is a rare genetic disorder that has a prevalence of 1 in 50,000 to 70,000 people and equal gender distribution. The clinical presentation of people with PWS involves a wide range of behavioural, psychiatric, neurocognitive, and medical problems. The aim of this review is to help clinicians make a comprehensive assessment of mental health problems with this population. People with PWS are particularly susceptible to the development of problems in the areas of hyperphagia, compulsions and repetitive behaviour, self-injury (especially skin-picking), and aggressive behaviours. The most common psychiatric features in people with PWS are psychosis, affective disorders, and obsessive–compulsive disorders. Assessment should involve consideration of how behavioural and psychiatric problems can be influenced by neurocognitive functioning and medical issues. The heterogeneous and progressive nature of many behavioural and psychiatric problems in this population presents significant challenges to psychological assessment and management. Comprehensive assessment requires an understanding of the phenotype of Prader–Willi syndrome, and associated issues that can impact upon clinical presentation.
Prader–Willi syndrome (PSW) is a rare genetic disorder that has a prevalence of 1 in 50,000 to 70,000 people and equal gender distribution. The clinical presentation of people with PWS involves a wide range of behavioural, psychiatric, neurocognitive, and medical problems. The aim of this review is to help clinicians make a comprehensive assessment of mental health problems with this population. People with PWS are particularly susceptible to the development of problems in the areas of hyperphagia, compulsions and repetitive behaviour, self-injury (especially skin-picking), and aggressive behaviours. The most common psychiatric features in people with PWS are psychosis, affective disorders, and obsessive–compulsive disorders. Assessment should involve consideration of how behavioural and psychiatric problems can be influenced by neurocognitive functioning and medical issues. The heterogeneous and progressive nature of many behavioural and psychiatric problems in this population presents significant challenges to psychological assessment and management. Comprehensive assessment requires an understanding of the phenotype of Prader–Willi syndrome, and associated issues that can impact upon clinical presentation.
Subject terms:
learning disabilities, literature reviews, mental health problems, Prader-Willi syndrome, self-harm, assessment, challenging behaviour;
British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 38(4), December 2010, pp.259-270.
Publisher:
Wiley
This study provides an update to a review by Emerson published in 2001 on behavioural interventions for self injurious behaviour (SIB) for people with learning disabilities. A systematic search of peer reviewed journals and the ‘grey’ literature identified 34 relevant documents published between 1998 and 2008, the majority of which were single case studies. These papers tended to report only on changes in the frequency of SIB during the intervention; therefore conclusions cannot be made about the long term efficacy and generalisability of these approaches. Reductions in SIB were highly variable, often produced in controlled environments and with the use of aversive interventions. This study presents implications for research and clinical practice and highlights the need for more research reporting on the effectiveness of new interventions such as positive behavioural support.
This study provides an update to a review by Emerson published in 2001 on behavioural interventions for self injurious behaviour (SIB) for people with learning disabilities. A systematic search of peer reviewed journals and the ‘grey’ literature identified 34 relevant documents published between 1998 and 2008, the majority of which were single case studies. These papers tended to report only on changes in the frequency of SIB during the intervention; therefore conclusions cannot be made about the long term efficacy and generalisability of these approaches. Reductions in SIB were highly variable, often produced in controlled environments and with the use of aversive interventions. This study presents implications for research and clinical practice and highlights the need for more research reporting on the effectiveness of new interventions such as positive behavioural support.
Subject terms:
intervention, learning disabilities, literature reviews, self-harm, behaviour modification, behaviour therapy;
Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 52(1), January 2008, pp.3-17.
Publisher:
Wiley
The ontogeny of self-injurious behaviour exhibited by young children with developmental delays or disabilities is due to a complex interaction between neurobiological and environmental variables. In this paper, the literature on emerging self-injury in the developmental disability population is reviewed with a focus on an operant conceptual model of how topographies of self-injurious behaviour can change structurally and become sensitive to various environmental consequences. Results of previous studies are reviewed in terms of extending our research focus from a reactive model of assessment and treatment of well-established cases of self-injury to an early intervention and prevention model.
The ontogeny of self-injurious behaviour exhibited by young children with developmental delays or disabilities is due to a complex interaction between neurobiological and environmental variables. In this paper, the literature on emerging self-injury in the developmental disability population is reviewed with a focus on an operant conceptual model of how topographies of self-injurious behaviour can change structurally and become sensitive to various environmental consequences. Results of previous studies are reviewed in terms of extending our research focus from a reactive model of assessment and treatment of well-established cases of self-injury to an early intervention and prevention model.
Subject terms:
learning disabilities, literature reviews, prevention, risk, self-harm, children, early intervention;
Journal of Intellectual Disabilities, 11(1), March 2007, pp.105-118.
Publisher:
Sage
Place of publication:
London
Most of the recent debate concerning the ethics of physical interventions has focused on the management of aggressive and destructive behaviours, neglecting the management of self-injurious behaviour. This is an important omission, given the extremely serious consequences that can arise from this form of challenging behaviour. The present article reviews types of restraint used to manage self-injury, prevalence of use, and main and side effects of restraint use. It describes some good practice standards and highlights the need for further research and debate in this complex area.
Most of the recent debate concerning the ethics of physical interventions has focused on the management of aggressive and destructive behaviours, neglecting the management of self-injurious behaviour. This is an important omission, given the extremely serious consequences that can arise from this form of challenging behaviour. The present article reviews types of restraint used to manage self-injury, prevalence of use, and main and side effects of restraint use. It describes some good practice standards and highlights the need for further research and debate in this complex area.
Reviews and discusses three aspects: basing interventions on an analysis of underlying causes, the functional displacement and communication hypothesis, and the debate about the acceptability and effectiveness of aversive treatment.
Reviews and discusses three aspects: basing interventions on an analysis of underlying causes, the functional displacement and communication hypothesis, and the debate about the acceptability and effectiveness of aversive treatment.
Subject terms:
intervention, learning disabilities, literature reviews, self-harm, treatment, therapy and treatment, conduct disorders;