Measurement properties of tools used to assess self-harm in autistic and general population adults

Newell, Victoria; Townsend, Ellen; Richards, Caroline; Cassidy, Sarah

Abstract

Autistic people are at increased risk of experiencing self-harm compared to the general population. However, it is unclear which tools are being used to assess self-harm in autistic people, or whether existing tools need to be adapted for this group. This two-stage systematic review aimed to identify tools used to assess self-harm in autistic and general population adults, evaluate these tools on their measurement properties, and make recommendations for their appropriate use in research and clinical practice. Four databases were systematically searched (PsycINFO, Embase, MEDLINE and Web of Science). Eight frequently used self-harm assessment tools were identified and assessed for risk of bias, criteria for good measurement properties, and quality of evidence using the COSMIN checklist. Of these, two tools had sufficient evidence of internal consistency (ISAS, QNSSI), and one had been frequently used with autistic adults (NSSI-AT). These three tools may have potential for use with autistic adults but require further investigation for content validity and measurement properties in the autistic population. More research and potential adaptations to current self-harm assessment tools are recommended in order to better conceptualise and understand self-harm and its measurement in autism. [Abstract copyright: Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.]

Citation

Newell, V., Townsend, E., Richards, C., & Cassidy, S. (2024). Measurement properties of tools used to assess self-harm in autistic and general population adults. Clinical Psychology Review, 109, Article 102412. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2024.102412

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Mar 8, 2024
• Online Publication Date: Mar 12, 2024
• Publication Date: 2024-04
• Deposit Date: Jul 23, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 24, 2024
• Journal: Clinical Psychology Review
• Print ISSN: 0272-7358
• Electronic ISSN: 1873-7811
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 109
• Article Number: 102412
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2024.102412
• Keywords: Assessment tools, General population, COSMIN, Adults, Autism, Self-harm
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/33548961
• Publisher URL: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0272735824000333?via%3Dihub
• Additional Information: This article is maintained by: Elsevier; Article Title: Measurement properties of tools used to assess self-harm in autistic and general population adults; Journal Title: Clinical Psychology Review; CrossRef DOI link to publisher maintained version: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2024.102412; Content Type: article; Copyright: © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.