Do young people who self-harm experience cognitions and emotions related to post-traumatic growth?

Murray, Alexandra; Wadman, Ruth; Townsend, Ellen

Abstract

Background: Adolescent self-harm is a vast public health concern with self-harm rates increasing each year. Looked-after adolescents are a group at increased risk of self-harm owing to adverse life-events and attachment issues, giving rise to difficulties with problem solving and relationship difficulties (Ogundele, 2020). Whilst research into risk factors of self-harm is plentiful, fewer studies have explored what factors might facilitate self-harm recovery. This paper investigates whether looked-after adolescents with experience of self-harm can experience cognitions and emotions related to post-traumatic growth (PTG). Methods: Secondary Data Analysis was conducted on a primary qualitative data set from a study including twenty-four looked-after young people aged between 14 and 21 with experience of self-harm; 20 females and 4 males. An Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis was conducted. Results: Five themes were identified, four of which shared similarities to prior research into the recovery of self-harm and manifestations of PTG: 1) Self-Reflection, 2) Communication, 3) Embracing and Appreciating Support, 4) Better Management of feelings. The fifth theme suggested a potential barrier to experiencing PTG; 5) Reliance on Self-Harm. Findings revealed four relevant themes suggesting that individuals who self-harm can indeed experience cognitions and emotions relevant to PTG. Limitations: This study utilised a homogeneous sample, limiting the generalisability of the findings to other populations. Perhaps future research should consider other populations of individuals who self-harm. Conclusions: We suggest there is a need for interventions for self-harm to focus on protective factors to increase PTG within an individual, potentially moderating the risk of suicide.

Citation

Murray, A., Wadman, R., & Townsend, E. (2024). Do young people who self-harm experience cognitions and emotions related to post-traumatic growth?. Journal of Affective Disorders Reports, 15, Article 100683. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadr.2023.100683

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Nov 3, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Nov 17, 2023
• Publication Date: Jan 1, 2024
• Deposit Date: Nov 8, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Nov 17, 2023
• Journal: Journal of Affective Disorders Reports
• Electronic ISSN: 2666-9153
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 15
• Article Number: 100683
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadr.2023.100683
• Keywords: Self-harm; Post-traumatic growth; Recovery; Suicide; Interpretative phenomenological analysis
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/27078565
• Publisher URL: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666915323002202
• Additional Information: This article is maintained by: Elsevier; Article Title: Do young people who self-harm experience cognitions and emotions related to post-traumatic growth?; Journal Title: Journal of Affective Disorders Reports; CrossRef DOI link to publisher maintained version: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadr.2023.100683; Content Type: article; Copyright: © 2023 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V.