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Martin F, Ferrey A, Hobbs L, Lascelles K, van Even S, Oliver T. Understanding the impact of children's and young people's self-harm on parental well-being: a systematic literature review of qualitative and quantitative findings. Child Adolesc Ment Health 2024. [PMID: 38362819 DOI: 10.1111/camh.12692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Self-harm in children and young people is increasing. Parents are vital in supporting young people; however, parents may experience distress linked to the self-harm. Previous reviews have highlighted the emotional impact and need for information and support, however, have not elucidated the relationships between these themes, nor examined the quantitative data examining parents' well-being. METHODS We conducted a mixed methods review, with qualitative meta-synthesis focusing on links between themes and quantitative synthesis of parental well-being findings, including pooled means. PsycInfo, Medline, EMBASE, AMED, CINHAL and Web of Science were searched to identify relevant records. References of included studies were also searched. Every abstract was screened by two authors. Data were extracted by one author and checked by another. RESULTS We identified 39 reports of 32 studies: 16 with qualitative data and 17 with quantitative data (one had both). Qualitative findings showed how parents' emotions were associated to their knowledge and beliefs about self-harm. Parents' emotions often evidenced the need to self-care, but emotions of guilt reduced engagement in self-care. How parents supported their young person was linked to their knowledge, and the management of their own emotions, and influenced if they could engage in self-care. Quantitative findings were mixed, however suggested poor general mental health amongst these parents. CONCLUSIONS Further good quality quantitative studies are needed, with measurement of psychological mechanisms that may underpin parental distress. Current evidence supports peer-support and interventions that go beyond information provision to address the connected factors of knowledge, emotion, self-care, and parenting behaviours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faith Martin
- School of Psychology, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Anne Ferrey
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Laura Hobbs
- School of Applied Sciences, University of the West of England, Bristol, UK
| | | | | | - Thomas Oliver
- School of Social Sciences, University of the West of England, Bristol, UK
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Bilello D, Townsend E, Broome MR, Burnett Heyes S. Friendship and self-harm: a retrospective qualitative study of young adults' experiences of supporting a friend who self-harmed during adolescence. Front Psychol 2024; 14:1221661. [PMID: 38370107 PMCID: PMC10869467 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1221661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/20/2024] Open
Abstract
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 adolescents who self-harm. Despite their important role as confidants, friends' perspectives and experiences remain poorly understood. Methods We conducted retrospective qualitative semi-structured interviews, prompted by an adapted version of the Card Sort Task for Self-Harm (CaTS-FF), about the experiences of nine female young adults (18-20 years old) who supported a friend who self-harmed during adolescence. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results Four themes were developed: (1) "I did not realize my friend was on the road to self-harm": Friends' reactions to self-harm; (2) "That's what friends do": the role of friends; (3) The impact of supporting a friend who self-harms; and (4) "They were quite formative years": reflecting on growth through the experience. Discussion The present findings highlight the complex experiences of young people supporting a friend who self-harms. Despite being willing to take on the role of a supporter, participants experienced a range of difficult emotions and consequences. The temporal transition running through the four themes reflects the evolving nature of participants' attitudes, knowledge, and friendships. Overall, results highlight the unmet needs of adolescents supporting young people who self-harm, as well as identifying potential pathways to "support the supporters" toward resilience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Delfina Bilello
- School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Institute for Mental Health, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Ellen Townsend
- Self-Harm Research Group, School of Psychology, University Park, The University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew R. Broome
- Institute for Mental Health, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Stephanie Burnett Heyes
- School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Institute for Mental Health, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
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Williams AJ, Cleare S, Borschmann R, Tench CR, Gross J, Hollis C, Chapman-Nisar A, Naeche N, Townsend E, Slovak P. 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 2024; 14:e079801. [PMID: 38195171 PMCID: PMC10806609 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-079801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024] Open
Abstract
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 with emotion dysregulation and their experiences of self-harm. The present study is designed to evaluate the impact of access to Purrble among LGBTQ+ youth who have self-harmful thoughts, when compared with waitlist controls. METHODS AND ANALYSIS The study is a single-blind, randomised control trial comparing access to the Purrble robot with waitlist control. A total of 168 LGBTQ+ youth aged 16-25 years with current self-harmful ideation will be recruited, all based within the UK. The primary outcome is emotion dysregulation (Difficulties with Emotion Regulation Scale-8) measured weekly across a 13-week period, including three pre-deployment timepoints. Secondary outcomes include self-harm (Self-Harm Questionnaire), anxiety (Generalised Anxiety Disorder-7) and depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9). We will conduct analyses using linear mixed models to assess primary and secondary hypotheses. Intervention participants will have unlimited access to Purrble over the deployment period, which can be used as much or as little as they like. After all assessments, control participants will receive their Purrble, with all participants keeping the robot after the end of the study. After the study has ended, a subset of participants will be invited to participate in semistructured interviews to explore engagement and appropriation of Purrble, considering the young people's own views of Purrble as an intervention device. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION Ethical approval was received from King's College London (RESCM-22/23-34570). Findings will be disseminated in peer review open access journals and at academic conferences. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT06025942.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Jess Williams
- Department of Informatics, King's College London, London, UK
- Institute of Mental Health, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Seonaid Cleare
- Department of Informatics, King's College London, London, UK
- University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Rohan Borschmann
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | - James Gross
- Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Chris Hollis
- Division of Psychiatry, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | | | | | - Ellen Townsend
- School of Psychology, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Petr Slovak
- Department of Informatics, King's College London, London, UK
- University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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McPherson T, Ravenscroft J, Ali R, Barlow R, Beattie P, Bewley A, Bennett S, Bleiker T, Buckley L, Burgess G, Copperwheat S, Cunliffe T, Dejong H, Fazel M, Heyman I, Howard E, Lambert A, Manktelow C, Moledina Z, Mohandas P, Moss C, Northover G, Paz I, Proctor A, Roxborough C, Shibib S, Solman L, Srinivasan J, Wood D, Baron S. British Society for Paediatric and Adolescent Dermatology assessment and support of mental health in children and young people with skin conditions: a multidisciplinary expert consensus statement and recommendations. Br J Dermatol 2023; 189:459-466. [PMID: 37291902 DOI: 10.1093/bjd/ljad193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Psychological and mental health difficulties are common in children and young people (CYP) living with skin conditions and can have a profound impact on wellbeing. There is limited guidance on how best to assess and support the mental health of this population, who are at risk of poor health outcomes. OBJECTIVES To provide consensus-based recommendations on the assessment and monitoring of and support for mental health difficulties in CYP with skin conditions (affecting the skin, hair and nails); to address practical clinical implementation questions relating to consensus guidance; and to provide audit and research recommendations. METHODS This set of recommendations was developed with reference to the AGREE II instrument. A systematic review and literature appraisal was carried out. A multidisciplinary consensus group was convened, with two virtual panel meetings held: an initial meeting to discuss the scope of the study, to review the current evidence and to identify areas for development; and a second meeting to agree on the content and wording of the recommendations. Recommendations were then circulated to stakeholders, following which amendments were made and agreed by email. RESULTS The expert panel achieved consensus on 11 recommendations for healthcare workers managing CYP with skin conditions. A new patient-completed history-taking aid ('You and Your Skin') was developed and is being piloted. CONCLUSIONS The recommendations focus on improved mental health assessments for CYP presenting with a skin condition, with clinical guidance and suggested screening measures included. Information on accessing psychological support for CYP, when required, is given, and recommendations for staff training in mental health and neurodiversity provided. Embedding a psychosocial approach within services treating CYP with skin disease should ensure that CYP with psychological needs are able to be identified, listened to, supported and treated. This is likely to improve health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tess McPherson
- Department of Dermatology, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Jane Ravenscroft
- Department of Dermatology, Nottingham University Hospital, Nottingham, UK
- Centre for Evidence Based Dermatology, Nottingham University, Nottingham, UK
| | - Rukshana Ali
- St John's Institute of Dermatology, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Richard Barlow
- Department of Dermatology, Birmingham City Hospital, Birmingham, UK
| | - Paula Beattie
- Department of Dermatology, Royal Hospital for Children, Glasgow, UK
| | - Anthony Bewley
- Department of Dermatology, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, UK
- Department of Dermatology, Queen Mary University London, London, UK
| | - Sophie Bennett
- Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, Health, London, UK
| | - Tanya Bleiker
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust, Derby, UK
| | - Liz Buckley
- Department of Paediatric Dermatology, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Queen's Medical Centre Campus, Nottingham, UK
| | - Gary Burgess
- Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, Health, London, UK
| | - Sarah Copperwheat
- Department of Dermatology, Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust, Brighton, UK
| | - Tim Cunliffe
- Primary Care, South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Middlesbrough, UK
| | - Hannah Dejong
- Department of Dermatology, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Mina Fazel
- University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Oxford Psychological Medicine Centre, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Isobel Heyman
- Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, Health, London, UK
| | - Emma Howard
- St John's Institute of Dermatology, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | | | - Claire Manktelow
- University of Nottingham Health Service, Cripps Health Centre, Nottingham, UK
| | | | - Padma Mohandas
- Department of Dermatology, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Celia Moss
- Department of Dermatology, Birmingham Children's Hospital, Birmingham, UK
| | | | - Isabel Paz
- University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Oxford Psychological Medicine Centre, Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust Psychological Services, Oxford, UK
| | | | | | - Shatha Shibib
- Sheffield Children's Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, UK
| | - Lea Solman
- Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, Health, London, UK
| | - Jo Srinivasan
- Department of Paediatric Dermatology, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Queen's Medical Centre Campus, Nottingham, UK
| | - Damian Wood
- Department of Paediatric Dermatology, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Queen's Medical Centre Campus, Nottingham, UK
| | - Susannah Baron
- St John's Institute of Dermatology, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
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Fazel M, Soneson E, Sellars E, Butler G, Stein A. Partnerships at the Interface of Education and Mental Health Services: The Utilisation and Acceptability of the Provision of Specialist Liaison and Teacher Skills Training. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:4066. [PMID: 36901077 PMCID: PMC10001585 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20054066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2022] [Revised: 02/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Partnerships between school staff and mental health professionals have the potential to improve access to mental health support for students, but uncertainty remains regarding whether and how they work in practice. We report on two pilot projects aimed at understanding the implementation drivers of tailored strategies for supporting and engaging front-line school staff in student mental health. The first project provided regular, accessible mental health professionals with whom school staff could meet and discuss individual or systemic mental health concerns (a school 'InReach' service), and the other offered a short skills training programme on commonly used psychotherapeutic techniques (the School Mental Health Toolbox; SMHT). The findings from the activity of 15 InReach workers over 3 years and 105 individuals who attended the SMHT training demonstrate that school staff made good use of these services. The InReach workers reported more than 1200 activities in schools (notably in providing specialist advice and support, especially for anxiety and emotional difficulties), whilst most SMHT training attendees reported the utilisation of the tools (in particular, supporting better sleep and relaxation techniques). The measures of acceptability and the possible impacts of the two services were also positive. These pilot studies suggest that investment into partnerships at the interface of education and mental health services can improve the availability of mental health support to students.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mina Fazel
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7JX, UK
| | - Emma Soneson
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7JX, UK
| | - Elise Sellars
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX2 6GG, UK
| | - Gillian Butler
- Oxford Cognitive Therapy Centre, Warneford Hospital, Oxford OX3 7JX, UK
| | - Alan Stein
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7JX, UK
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Manchanda T, Stein A, Fazel M. Investigating the Role of Friendship Interventions on the Mental Health Outcomes of Adolescents: A Scoping Review of Range and a Systematic Review of Effectiveness. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:2160. [PMID: 36767526 PMCID: PMC9915149 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20032160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2022] [Revised: 01/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Friendships are crucial in adolescent development. This paper presents a scoping review, followed by a systematic review, to assess friendship interventions and their impacts on the mental health outcomes of adolescents aged 12-24 years. Studies were included if they incorporated a friend or authentic social group in an intervention dedicated to improving mental health outcomes and well-being. Twenty-four studies were included in the scoping review, and eighteen in the systematic review. Data from 12,815 adolescents were analysed; three prominent themes emerged. The most common theme was promoting mental health literacy, followed by supporting help-seeking, and friendship-building/combating isolation. Most evaluations focused on the individual who had received the intervention, rather than their wider friends who would have been potential contacts and experienced any altered interactions. Of the studies focusing on friendship-building, all had positive short-term outcomes but inconclusive long-term effects. Two studies recruited friends from an individual's authentic social group. While opportunities for improving mental health literacy and help-seeking emerged as key themes, the role of friends in mental health interventions has only been included in a small number of studies. Given that friends are a key point of contact for many adolescents, a better understanding of their domains of influence, particularly on mental health, will potentially enhance interventions.
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Geulayov G, Mansfield K, Jindra C, Hawton K, Fazel M. Loneliness and self-harm in adolescents during the first national COVID-19 lockdown: results from a survey of 10,000 secondary school pupils in England. CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY 2022:1-12. [PMID: 36124048 PMCID: PMC9476392 DOI: 10.1007/s12144-022-03651-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Adolescents' loneliness and self-harm have received considerable attention during the COVID-19 pandemic with concerns that the socioecological changes taking place would contribute to an escalation of both loneliness and self-harm. However, empirical evidence is scant. We estimated the prevalence of loneliness and self-harm in adolescent school pupils and investigated the association of loneliness and change in loneliness during the UK's first lockdown with self-harm during lockdown in a cross-sectional school survey (OxWell) involving 10,460 12-18-year-olds from south England. Loneliness was measured with four items. Self-harm was ascertained through a detailed questionnaire. The prevalence of loneliness and self-harm were estimated applying post-stratification weights to account for differences between the study sample and the target population. The associations between indicators of loneliness and self-harm were examined using mixed effect models. 1,896 of 10,460 adolescents (18.1%) reported feeling lonely 'often' (weighted proportion 16.8%). 3,802/10,460 (36.4%; weighted proportion 35%) felt more lonely since lockdown. Self-harm during lockdown was reported by 787/10,460 adolescents (7.5%; weighted proportion 6.7%). Controlling for confounders, adolescents who reported feeling lonely 'often' [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 2.8, 95% CI 2.1-3.9, p < 0.0001] or 'sometimes' (aOR 2.2, 95% CI 1.5-3.2, p < 0.0001) were more likely to self-harm during lockdown relative to adolescents who reported 'never' or 'hardly ever' feeling lonely. Exacerbation in loneliness during lockdown was associated with an increase in the odds of self-harm during lockdown. Loneliness, heightened loneliness and self-harm were common during lockdown and closely linked. It is important to support schools in address loneliness and self-harm as part of efforts to improve well-being as the long tail of the pandemic continues to impact on child and adolescent mental health. Understanding how loneliness and self-harm may co-vary could be important for future self-harm reduction strategies in young persons. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12144-022-03651-5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Galit Geulayov
- Centre for Suicide Research, Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - Karen Mansfield
- Section of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - Christoph Jindra
- Institute for Educational Quality Improvement, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany
| | - Keith Hawton
- Centre for Suicide Research, Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, UK
- Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Mina Fazel
- Section of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, UK
- Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
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