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Published on: September 19, 2019
An exploration of family dynamics in adults who self-harm
Ruth Buckmaster1,2, Muireann McNulty1, Suzanne Guerin1
1School of Psychology, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland.
Objectives:
The aim of the present study was to explore how adults who self-harm experience family relationships.
Methods:
A phenomenological design was employed to examine the dynamic relationship between self-harm and family systems. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six female adults who attend a community mental health service and engage in self-harm. Transcripts were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA).
Results:
Four superordinate themes emerged from the data and two subordinate themes emerged within each superordinate theme: family interactive patterns (subordinate themes: enmeshed patterns and culture of 'getting on with it'), searching for meaning (subordinate themes: expressing emotional turmoil and engrained worthlessness), relating to others (subordinate themes: guilt and feeling misunderstood) and journey towards life without self-harm (subordinate themes: acceptance and family support).
Conclusions:
Findings emphasise the role of family systems in understanding self-harm in adults. The study highlights the need for family-based interventions for family members who support adults that self-harm.
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