Investigating the relationship between childhood sexual abuse, self-harm repetition and suicidal intent: mixed-methods study.

Mixed-methods childhood sexual abuse self-harm self-harm repetition suicide

Journal

BJPsych open
ISSN: 2056-4724
Titre abrégé: BJPsych Open
Pays: England
ID NLM: 101667931

Informations de publication

Date de publication:
08 Jul 2021
Historique:
entrez: 8 7 2021
pubmed: 9 7 2021
medline: 9 7 2021
Statut: epublish

Résumé

Research into the association between childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and self-harm repetition is limited. We aimed to examine the association between self-harm repetition, mental health conditions, suicidal intent and CSA experiences among people who frequently self-harm. A mixed-methods study was conducted including consecutive patients aged ≥18 years, with five or more self-harm presentations, in three Irish hospitals. Information was extracted from psychiatric records and patients were invited to participate in a semi-structured interview. Data was collected and analysed with a mixed-methods, convergent parallel design. In tandem, the association between CSA and self-harm repetition, suicidal intent and mental health conditions was examined with logistic regression models and independent sample t-test, with psychiatric records data. Thematic analysis was conducted with interview data, to explore CSA experiences and self-harm repetition. Between March 2016 and July 2019, information was obtained on 188 consecutive participants, with 36 participants completing an interview. CSA was recorded in 42% of the total sample and 72.2% of those interviewed. CSA was positively associated with self-harm repetition (odds ratio 6.26, 95% CI 3.94-9.94, P = 0.00). Three themes emerged when exploring participants' CSA experiences: CSA as a precipitating factor for self-harm, secrecy of CSA accentuating shame, and loss experiences linked to CSA and self-harm. CSA was frequently reported among people who frequently self-harm, and associated with self-harm repetition. Identification of patients at risk of repetition is key for suicide prevention. This is an at-risk group with particular characteristics that must be considered; comprehensive patient histories can help inform and tailor treatment pathways.

Sections du résumé

BACKGROUND BACKGROUND
Research into the association between childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and self-harm repetition is limited.
AIMS OBJECTIVE
We aimed to examine the association between self-harm repetition, mental health conditions, suicidal intent and CSA experiences among people who frequently self-harm.
METHOD METHODS
A mixed-methods study was conducted including consecutive patients aged ≥18 years, with five or more self-harm presentations, in three Irish hospitals. Information was extracted from psychiatric records and patients were invited to participate in a semi-structured interview. Data was collected and analysed with a mixed-methods, convergent parallel design. In tandem, the association between CSA and self-harm repetition, suicidal intent and mental health conditions was examined with logistic regression models and independent sample t-test, with psychiatric records data. Thematic analysis was conducted with interview data, to explore CSA experiences and self-harm repetition.
RESULTS RESULTS
Between March 2016 and July 2019, information was obtained on 188 consecutive participants, with 36 participants completing an interview. CSA was recorded in 42% of the total sample and 72.2% of those interviewed. CSA was positively associated with self-harm repetition (odds ratio 6.26, 95% CI 3.94-9.94, P = 0.00). Three themes emerged when exploring participants' CSA experiences: CSA as a precipitating factor for self-harm, secrecy of CSA accentuating shame, and loss experiences linked to CSA and self-harm.
CONCLUSIONS CONCLUSIONS
CSA was frequently reported among people who frequently self-harm, and associated with self-harm repetition. Identification of patients at risk of repetition is key for suicide prevention. This is an at-risk group with particular characteristics that must be considered; comprehensive patient histories can help inform and tailor treatment pathways.

Identifiants

pubmed: 34236021
doi: 10.1192/bjo.2021.962
pii: S2056472421009625
pmc: PMC8281309
doi:

Types de publication

Journal Article

Langues

eng

Pagination

e125

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Auteurs

Maria Isabela Troya (MI)

School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health, University College Cork, Ireland; and National Suicide Research Foundation, University College Cork, Ireland.

Grace Cully (G)

School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health, University College Cork, Ireland; and National Suicide Research Foundation, University College Cork, Ireland.

Dorothy Leahy (D)

School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health, University College Cork, Ireland; and National Suicide Research Foundation, University College Cork, Ireland.

Eugene Cassidy (E)

Cork University Hospital Group, Liaison Psychiatry Service, Ireland.

Anvar Sadath (A)

School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health, University College Cork, Ireland; and National Suicide Research Foundation, University College Cork, Ireland.

Sarah Nicholson (S)

School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health, University College Cork, Ireland; and National Suicide Research Foundation, University College Cork, Ireland.

Ana Paula Ramos Costa (AP)

School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health, University College Cork, Ireland; and National Suicide Research Foundation, University College Cork, Ireland.

Íñigo Alberdi-Páramo (Í)

Instituto de Psiquiatría y Salud Mental, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Spain; and Departamento de Medicina Legal, Psiquiatría y Patología, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain.

Anne Jeffers (A)

National Clinical Programme for the Assessment and Management of Patients presenting to the Emergency Department following Self-Harm, Office of the National Clinical Advisor and Group Lead - Mental Health, Dr. Steeven's Hospital, Ireland.

Frances Shiely (F)

School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health, University College Cork, Ireland.

Ella Arensman (E)

School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health, University College Cork, Ireland; National Suicide Research Foundation, University College Cork, Ireland; and Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention, School of Applied Psychology, Griffith University, Australia.

Classifications MeSH