What helps people to reduce or stop self-harm? A systematic review and meta-synthesis of first-hand accounts

Cathy A Brennan, Helen Crosby, Cara Sass, Kate L Farley, Louise D Bryant, Rocio Rodriquez-Lopez, Daniel Romeu, Elizabeth Mitchell, Allan O House, Else Guthrie, Cathy A Brennan, Helen Crosby, Cara Sass, Kate L Farley, Louise D Bryant, Rocio Rodriquez-Lopez, Daniel Romeu, Elizabeth Mitchell, Allan O House, Else Guthrie

Abstract

Background: Self-harm is an important public health problem but therapeutic interventions, particularly for people who have a history of multiple repetition, are not always taken up or effective when they are. The aim of this review is to explore first-hand accounts of what helps outside therapy and identify actions and processes, which can support the reduction or cessation of self-harm.

Methods: A systematic review and thematic meta-synthesis of the first-person accounts of what has helped to reduce or stop self-harm reported in primary studies.

Results: The meta-synthesis combined 546 participant excerpts from 56 studies. Two over-arching themes were identified: (i) breaking the chain incorporated actions taken to break the link between a person's current psychological or social state and the act of self-harm and (ii) building a new foundation for change captured actions over the longer-term, focusing on practical changes in relationships and in a person's way of life, such as work or living arrangements.

Conclusions: The results emphasize the importance of interpersonal change in reducing or stopping self-harm. While interpersonal factors are acknowledged as important reasons behind self-harm, they are often under-represented in self-management advice and therapeutic interventions that focus on individual psychopathology.

Keywords: cessation; meta-synthesis; self-harm; self-management; systematic review.

© The Author(s) 2022. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Faculty of Public Health.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Flow of studies through selection process.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Thematic map.

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Source: PubMed

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