Professor ELLEN TOWNSEND's Outputs (75)

Self-harm in women in midlife: rates, precipitating problems and outcomes following hospital presentations in the multicentre study of self-harm in England (2025)
Journal Article
Clements, C., Bickley, H., Hawton, K., Geulayov, G., Waters, K., Ness, J., Kelly, S., Townsend, E., Appleby, L., & Kapur, N. (2025). Self-harm in women in midlife: rates, precipitating problems and outcomes following hospital presentations in the multicentre study of self-harm in England. British Journal of Psychiatry, https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.2024.215

Background
Suicide in women in the UK is highest among those in midlife. Given the unique changes in biological, social and economic risk factors experienced by women in midlife, more information is needed to inform care.

Aim
To investigate rate... Read More about Self-harm in women in midlife: rates, precipitating problems and outcomes following hospital presentations in the multicentre study of self-harm in England.

The CO-produced Psychosocial INtervention delivered by GPs to young people after self-harm (COPING): protocol for a feasibility study (2024)
Journal Article
Mughal, F., Chew-Graham, C. A., Saunders, B., Lawton, S. A., Lewis, S., Smith, J., Lancaster, G., Townsend, E., Armitage, C. J., Bower, P., Kapur, N., Kessler, D., Realpe, A. X., Wiles, N., Ougrin, D., & Lewis, M. (2024). The CO-produced Psychosocial INtervention delivered by GPs to young people after self-harm (COPING): protocol for a feasibility study. NIHR Open Research, 4, Article 27. https://doi.org/10.3310/nihropenres.13576.2

Background: Self-harm in young people is a growing concern and reducing rates a global priority. Rates of self-harm documented in general practice have been increasing for young people in the UK in the last two decades, especially in 13–16-year-olds.... Read More about The CO-produced Psychosocial INtervention delivered by GPs to young people after self-harm (COPING): protocol for a feasibility study.

Dynamic Interplay of Online Risk and Resilience in Adolescence (DIORA): a protocol for a 12-month prospective observational study testing the associations among digital activity, affective and cognitive reactions and depression symptoms in a community sample of UK adolescents (2024)
Journal Article
Kostyrka-Allchorne, K., Stoilova, M., Bourgaize, J., Murray, A., Azeri, E., Hollis, C., Townsend, E., Livingstone, S., & Sonuga-Barke, E. (2024). Dynamic Interplay of Online Risk and Resilience in Adolescence (DIORA): a protocol for a 12-month prospective observational study testing the associations among digital activity, affective and cognitive reactions and depression symptoms in a community sample of UK adolescents. BMJ Open, 14(9), Article e085061. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2024-085061

Introduction The impact of digital activity on adolescent mental health has been difficult to assess because of methodological limitations and a lack of strong theory. Dynamic Interplay of Online Risk and Resilience in Adolescence (DIORA) is a longit... Read More about Dynamic Interplay of Online Risk and Resilience in Adolescence (DIORA): a protocol for a 12-month prospective observational study testing the associations among digital activity, affective and cognitive reactions and depression symptoms in a community sample of UK adolescents.

Exploring general practitioners’ management of self-harm in young people: a qualitative study (2024)
Journal Article
Mughal, F., Saunders, B., Lewis, M., Armitage, C., Dikomitis, L., Lancaster, G., Townsend, E., & Chew-Graham, C. A. (2024). Exploring general practitioners’ management of self-harm in young people: a qualitative study. Health Expectations, 27(5), Article e70026. https://doi.org/10.1111/hex.70026

Background
General practitioners (GPs) are key to the frontline assessment and treatment of young people after self-harm. Young people value GP-led self-harm care but little is known about how GPs manage young people after self-harm.

Aim
To und... Read More about Exploring general practitioners’ management of self-harm in young people: a qualitative study.

Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) and Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) approaches in mental health projects involving young people: a scoping review protocol (2024)
Journal Article
de Alcântara Mendes, J. A., Lucassen, M., Adams, A., Martin, L., Aicardi, C., Woodcock, R., Nielsen, E., Townsend, E., & Jirotka, M. (2024). Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) and Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) approaches in mental health projects involving young people: a scoping review protocol. Research Involvement and Engagement, 10, Article 60. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40900-024-00591-1

Background:
Rather than being perceived as merely ‘part of the problem’, the perspectives and experiences of young people play a pivotal role in devising effective solutions for mental health challenges. Two distinct methodologies that aid in this... Read More about Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) and Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) approaches in mental health projects involving young people: a scoping review protocol.

Pathways between digital activity and depressed mood in adolescence: outlining a developmental model integrating risk, reactivity, resilience and reciprocity (2024)
Journal Article
Sonuga-Barke, E. J., Stoilova, M., Kostyrka-Allchorne, K., Bourgaize, J., Murray, A., Tan, M. P., Hollis, C., Townsend, E., & Livingstone, S. (2024). Pathways between digital activity and depressed mood in adolescence: outlining a developmental model integrating risk, reactivity, resilience and reciprocity. Current Opinion in Behavioral Sciences, 58, Article 101411. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cobeha.2024.101411

Digital technology use (i.e. digital activity) has been proposed to contribute to a decline in adolescents’ mental health. We present a new model of how risky digital activity may increase depressed mood via reciprocal pathways, cre... Read More about Pathways between digital activity and depressed mood in adolescence: outlining a developmental model integrating risk, reactivity, resilience and reciprocity.

A systematic review and narrative synthesis exploring the relationship between friendships and peer relationships, and self-harm ideation and behaviour among young people (2024)
Preprint / Working Paper
Bilello, D., Townsend, E., Broome, M. R., Armstrong, G., & Burnett Heyes, S. A systematic review and narrative synthesis exploring the relationship between friendships and peer relationships, and self-harm ideation and behaviour among young people

Friendships and peer relationships have an important role in the experience of self-harm ideation and behaviour in young people, yet they typically remain overlooked. The present systematic review and narrative synthesis explore the extant literature... Read More about A systematic review and narrative synthesis exploring the relationship between friendships and peer relationships, and self-harm ideation and behaviour among young people.

The Three Rs of Fear Messaging in a Global Pandemic: Recommendations, Ramifications and Remediation (2024)
Journal Article
Dodsworth, L., Ahearne, G., Dingwall, R., Easthope, L., Riordan, M., & Townsend, E. (2024). The Three Rs of Fear Messaging in a Global Pandemic: Recommendations, Ramifications and Remediation. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy, 31(2), Article e2972. https://doi.org/10.1002/cpp.2972

Introduction: We consider the UK Independent Scientific Pandemic Insights Group on Behaviours' (SPI‐B) support for fear messaging during the global COVID‐19 pandemic, evaluate the consequences and make recommendations for the future. Analysis: Using... Read More about The Three Rs of Fear Messaging in a Global Pandemic: Recommendations, Ramifications and Remediation.

Precision computerised cognitive behavioural therapy (cCBT) for adolescents with depression: a pilot and feasibility randomised controlled trial protocol for SPARX-UK (2024)
Journal Article
Khan, K., Hall, C. L., Babbage, C., Dodzo, S., Greenhalgh, C., Lucassen, M., Merry, S., Sayal, K., Sprange, K., Stasiak, K., Tench, C. R., Townsend, E., Stallard, P., & Hollis, C. (2024). Precision computerised cognitive behavioural therapy (cCBT) for adolescents with depression: a pilot and feasibility randomised controlled trial protocol for SPARX-UK. Pilot and Feasibility Studies, 10(1), Article 53. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40814-024-01475-7

Background : A serious game called SPARX (Smart, Positive, Active, Realistic, X-factor thoughts), originally developed in New Zealand and incorporating cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) principles, has been shown to help reduce symptoms of depressi... Read More about Precision computerised cognitive behavioural therapy (cCBT) for adolescents with depression: a pilot and feasibility randomised controlled trial protocol for SPARX-UK.

Measurement properties of tools used to assess self-harm in autistic and general population adults (2024)
Journal Article
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

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

Risk and protective factors for self-harm thoughts and behaviours in transgender and gender diverse people: A systematic review (2024)
Journal Article
Bird, K., Arcelus, J., Matsagoura, L., O'Shea, B. A., & Townsend, E. (2024). Risk and protective factors for self-harm thoughts and behaviours in transgender and gender diverse people: A systematic review. Heliyon, 10(5), Article E26074. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e26074

Background: Self-harm (any self-injury or -poisoning regardless of intent) is highly prevalent in transgender and gender diverse (TGD) populations. It is strongly associated with various adverse health and wellbeing outcomes, including suicide. Despi... Read More about Risk and protective factors for self-harm thoughts and behaviours in transgender and gender diverse people: A systematic review.

Friendship and self-harm: a retrospective qualitative study of young adults' experiences of supporting a friend who self-harmed during adolescence (2024)
Journal Article
Bilello, D., Townsend, E., Broome, M. R., & Burnett Heyes, S. (2024). Friendship and self-harm: a retrospective qualitative study of young adults' experiences of supporting a friend who self-harmed during adolescence. Frontiers in Psychology, 14, Article 1221661. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1221661

Introduction: Self-harm amongst young people is becoming increasingly prevalent. Understanding, responding to, and supporting young people who self-harm is vital. Friends are typically the first and sometimes the only source of support sought by adol... Read More about Friendship and self-harm: a retrospective qualitative study of young adults' experiences of supporting a friend who self-harmed during adolescence.

Enhancing emotion regulation with an in situ socially assistive robot among LGBTQ+ youth with self-harm ideation: protocol for a randomised controlled trial (2024)
Journal Article
Williams, A. J., Cleare, S., Borschmann, R., Tench, C. R., Gross, J., Hollis, C., Chapman-Nisar, A., Naeche, N., Townsend, E., & Slovak, P. (2024). Enhancing emotion regulation with an in situ socially assistive robot among LGBTQ+ youth with self-harm ideation: protocol for a randomised controlled trial. BMJ Open, 14(1), Article e079801. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2023-079801

Introduction: Purrble, a socially assistive robot, was codesigned with children to support in situ emotion regulation. Preliminary evidence has found that LGBTQ+ youth are receptive to Purrble and find it to be an acceptable intervention to assist wi... Read More about Enhancing emotion regulation with an in situ socially assistive robot among LGBTQ+ youth with self-harm ideation: protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

Investigating the feasibility, acceptability, and appropriation of a socially assistive robot among minority youth at-risk of self-harm: Results of 2 Mixed Methods Pilot Studies (2023)
Journal Article
Williams, A. J., Townsend, E., Naeche, N., Chapman-Nisar, A., Hollis, C., & Slovak, P. (2023). Investigating the feasibility, acceptability, and appropriation of a socially assistive robot among minority youth at-risk of self-harm: Results of 2 Mixed Methods Pilot Studies. JMIR Formative Research, 7(1), Article e52336. https://doi.org/10.2196/52336

Background: Minority youth are at an increased risk of experiencing self-harmful thoughts and behaviors. However, there is limited evidence of successful interventions to support young people in the moment of their distress. Digital interventions are... Read More about Investigating the feasibility, acceptability, and appropriation of a socially assistive robot among minority youth at-risk of self-harm: Results of 2 Mixed Methods Pilot Studies.

Do young people who self-harm experience cognitions and emotions related to post-traumatic growth? (2023)
Journal Article
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

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 difficu... Read More about Do young people who self-harm experience cognitions and emotions related to post-traumatic growth?.

Developing precision computerised cognitive behavioural therapy (cCBT) for adolescent depression: a pilot and feasibility protocol for the SPARX-UK trial (2023)
Preprint / Working Paper
Khan, K., Hall, C. L., Babbage, C., Dodzo, S., Greenhalgh, C., Lucassen, M., Merry, S., Sayal, K., Sprange, K., Stasiak, K., Tench, C. R., Townsend, E., Stallard, P., & Hollis, C. Developing precision computerised cognitive behavioural therapy (cCBT) for adolescent depression: a pilot and feasibility protocol for the SPARX-UK trial

Background:

A serious game (SPARX), developed in New Zealand and incorporating cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) principles, has been shown to help reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety in adolescents with mild to moderate depression. Howev... Read More about Developing precision computerised cognitive behavioural therapy (cCBT) for adolescent depression: a pilot and feasibility protocol for the SPARX-UK trial.

Self-harm in university students: A comparative analysis of data from the Multicentre Study of Self-harm in England (2023)
Journal Article
Clements, C., Farooq, B., Hawton, K., Geulayov, G., Casey, D., Waters, K., Ness, J., Kelly, S., Townsend, E., Appleby, L., & Kapur, N. (2023). Self-harm in university students: A comparative analysis of data from the Multicentre Study of Self-harm in England. Journal of Affective Disorders, 335, 67-74. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2023.04.112

Background: Increases in poor mental health and suicide have been identified among university students in the UK. However, little is known about self-harm in this group. Aims: To describe and identify care needs of university aged-students who self-h... Read More about Self-harm in university students: A comparative analysis of data from the Multicentre Study of Self-harm in England.

We need timely access to mental health data: implications of the Goldacre review (2023)
Journal Article
Astle, D. E., Moore, A., Marryat, L., Viding, E., Mansfield, K. L., Fazel, M., Pierce, M., Abel, K. M., Green, J., Broome, M. R., John, A., Broome, M. R., Upthegrove, R., Bould, H., Minnis, H., Gajwani, R., Groom, M. J., Hollis, C., Liddle, E., Sayal, K., …Ford, T. J. (2023). We need timely access to mental health data: implications of the Goldacre review. Lancet Psychiatry, 10(4), 242-244. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366%2823%2900030-5

The Goldacre review, published in April, 2022, 1 is a landmark evaluation of the use, availability, and safety of National Health Service (NHS) data across all four nations of the UK. The review underscores the necessary role of data in driving healt... Read More about We need timely access to mental health data: implications of the Goldacre review.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of suicidality in autistic and possibly autistic people without co-occurring intellectual disability (2023)
Journal Article
Newell, V., Phillips, L., Jones, C., Townsend, E., Richards, C., & Cassidy, S. (2023). A systematic review and meta-analysis of suicidality in autistic and possibly autistic people without co-occurring intellectual disability. Molecular Autism, 14, Article 12. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13229-023-00544-7

Background: Suicidality is highly prevalent in autistic people without co-occurring intellectual disabilities, and high autistic traits are found in adults who have attempted suicide. However, prevalence rates for both autistic and possibly autistic... Read More about A systematic review and meta-analysis of suicidality in autistic and possibly autistic people without co-occurring intellectual disability.

The characteristics, life problems and clinical management of older adults who self-harm: Findings from the multicentre study of self-harm in England (2023)
Journal Article
Patel, A., Ness, J., Kelly, S., Waters, K., Townsend, E., Kapur, N., Clements, C., Farooq, B., Geulayov, G., Casey, D., & Hawton, K. (2023). The characteristics, life problems and clinical management of older adults who self-harm: Findings from the multicentre study of self-harm in England. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 38(3), Article e5895. https://doi.org/10.1002/gps.5895

Background
Older adults have a high risk of suicide following self-harm. Contemporary information on self-harm in this population is needed to inform care provision.

Objectives
To examine subgroup differences in the incidence of self-harm, socio... Read More about The characteristics, life problems and clinical management of older adults who self-harm: Findings from the multicentre study of self-harm in England.