Parents of youth who self-injure: a review of the literature and implications for mental health professionals.

Alexis E Arbuthnott,Stephen P Lewis

doi:10.1186/s13034-015-0066-3

Alexis E Arbuthnott, Stephen P Lewis

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s13034-015-0066-3

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Abstract

Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a common mental health concern among youth, and parents can be valuable supports for these youth. However, youth NSSI can have a significant impact on parents’ wellbeing, which may in turn alter parents’ ability to support the youth. To date, no single article has consolidated the research on parents of youth who self-injure. This review synthesizes the literature on parent factors implicated in youth NSSI risk, the role of parents in help-seeking and intervention for youth NSSI, and the impact of youth NSSI on parent wellbeing and parenting. Clinical implications for supporting parents as they support the youth are also discussed, and recommendations for future research are outlined.

Highlights

Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is the intentional destruction of one’s own body tissue without conscious suicidal intention [1]
This review begins with a synthesis of the literature examining parents of youth who engage in NSSI, including the risks for NSSI associated with parents, the role of parents during help-seeking and treatment for NSSI, and the impact of youth NSSI on parent wellbeing and ability to support the youth
As there may be key differences between adolescents who engage in deliberate self-harm (DSH) with suicidal intent versus nonsuicidal intent [23,24,25], only studies measuring exclusively nonsuicidal DSH were included in the review of risks for NSSI associated with parents

Summary

Introduction

Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is the intentional destruction of one’s own body tissue (e.g., cutting, burning) without conscious suicidal intention [1]. Included studies had to examine the role of parents in relation to NSSI in at least one of four categories: youth NSSI risk factors; youth help-seeking for NSSI; intervention for youth NSSI; and parent experiences of youth NSSI. To best approximate the goals of the initial review, studies of DSH that clearly did not include NSSI (i.e., self-poisoning was the only method examined; only behaviours with suicidal intent were included; or suicide ideation confounded the measure of self-harm), were excluded. As there may be key differences between adolescents who engage in DSH with suicidal intent versus nonsuicidal intent [23,24,25], only studies measuring exclusively nonsuicidal DSH were included in the review of risks for NSSI associated with parents. A school-based program for parents [97] was found to reduce youth NSSI among students

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