A Study of the Relationship between the Patterns of Planned Activity and Incidents of Deliberate Self-Harm within a Regional Secure Unit

Abstract

Within a 77-bed Regional Secure Unit, there has been an increase in the number of patients admitted who deliberately do themselves harm, although this Is generally not the primary reason for admission. During this 9-month study, 307 incidents of self-harm were recorded on the clinic's information system; a subgroup of seven patients was responsible for 77.5% of these incidents. Whilst there is a perception among rehabilitation staff that activity has a role in reducing the incidence of deliberate self-harm, this study Identifies no correlation between the patterns of structured activity and the patterns of deliberate self-harm. This does not suggest, however, that occupational therapy is ineffective with this client group, particularly given the potentially addictive nature of deliberate self-harm behaviour even after problem resolution. The study identifies areas for further research, focusing on qualitative rather than quantitative study.