scholarly journals An exploration of family dynamics in adults who self-harm

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Ruth Buckmaster ◽  
Muireann McNulty ◽  
Suzanne Guerin
Keyword(s):  
Family Systems ◽  
Family Relationships ◽  
Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Community Mental Health Service ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Dynamic Relationship ◽  
Self Harm ◽  
Family Based ◽  
Phenomenological Design

Abstract 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.

scholarly journals Older People in a Community Gospel Choir: Musical Engagement and Social Connection

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dawn Joseph ◽  
Jane Southcott
Keyword(s):  
Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Community Outreach ◽  
Social Connection ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Musical Engagement ◽  
Self Worth ◽  
Gospel Choir ◽  
Freedom Songs ◽  
Social Importance

This research explores the role of community music in the lives of older Australians. This qualitative case study investigated the meanings and understandings ascribed by participants to their musical engagement in the South of the River Community Gospel Choir. This mixed a cappella SATB choir was formed in 2002 in Melbourne. The choir began with a repertoire of African-American Gospel music and South African Freedom Songs. With time their musical choices have transitioned to include more contemporary Australian composed works. The choir sings in diverse community settings such as high security prisons, palliative care, hospitals and the more common range of gigs such as community events, private events and folk festivals. Data were gathered from individual and focus group semi-structured interviews undertaken in 2016 with the members of the choir and with the Musical Director. Data were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis and reported under the themes of Musical engagement and Social connection, Performing and Outreach. The findings confirmed the pivotal musical and social importance of the Music Director; the importance of performance opportunities that support both socialising and community outreach; and the role of ensemble membership in fostering and maintaining understandings of self-worth and self-esteem.

The role of dissociation and abuse among adolescents who self-harm

2019 ◽  
Vol 53 (10) ◽  
pp. 989-999 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos Hoyos ◽  
Vincent Mancini ◽  
Yulia Furlong ◽  
Nick Medford ◽  
Hugo Critchley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Childhood Abuse ◽  
Comparison Group ◽  
Psychiatric Patients ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Emergency Presentation ◽  
Self Harm ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Matched Comparison

Objectives: Retrospective recall of dissociative symptoms has been found to mediate the association between childhood abuse and deliberate self-harm (DSH) in later life. To disentangle the effect of recall bias, we tested whether dissociation symptoms ascertained during an acute DSH presentation mediates this link. Method: All participants with DSH were recruited during emergency presentation. Seventy-one individuals aged 11–17 years with overdose (OD) and/or self-injury (SI) participated in semi-structured interviews and psychiatric assessment to measure abuse and dissociation. An age- and gender-matched comparison group of 42 non-psychiatric patients admitted to the same service were also assessed. Results: The DSH groups reported significantly higher levels of abuse and dissociation compared to comparison group. Dissociation significantly mediated the association between abuse and DSH. Of the four dissociation subtypes, ‘depersonalisation’ was the primary mediator. Adolescents with chronic patterns of DSH and the ‘OD + SI’ self-harm type reported more severe dissociation. Conclusion: Exposure to abuse significantly increased the risk of DSH in adolescence. This association was mediated by dissociation. Our findings suggest a possible dose–response relationship between dissociation with DSH chronicity and the ‘OD + SI’ self-harm type, implicating the importance of evaluating dissociation and depersonalisation symptoms as well as abuse exposure in DSH management.

scholarly journals ‘Do you mean I’m not whole?’: Exploring the role of support in women’s experiences of mastectomy without reconstruction

2016 ◽  
Vol 23 (12) ◽  
pp. 1598-1609 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie Archer ◽  
Fiona G Holland ◽  
Jane Montague
Keyword(s):  
Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Sense Of Self ◽  
The Self ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Younger Women ◽  
Women’S Experiences ◽  
Women's Experiences ◽  
Positive Support ◽  
Unilateral Mastectomy

This study explores the role of others in supporting younger women who opt not to reconstruct their breast post-mastectomy. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six women diagnosed with breast cancer in their 30s/40s. The women lived in England, had been diagnosed a minimum of 5 years previously and had undergone unilateral mastectomy. An interpretative phenomenological analysis revealed three themes: Assuring the self: ‘I’ll love you whatever’, Challenging the self: ‘Do you mean I’m not whole?’ and Accepting the self: ‘I’ve come out the other side’. The women’s experiences of positive support and challenges to their sense of self are discussed.

Experiencing Responsive Technology in a Mixed Work: Interactive music as embodied and situated activity

2017 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 418-427
Author(s):  
Anna Einarsson
Keyword(s):  
Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Meaning Making ◽  
Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Cultural Dimensions ◽  
The Self ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Interactive Music ◽  
Sensorimotor Interaction ◽  
The Relationship

How is performing with responsive technology in a mixed work experienced by performers, and how may the notion of embodied cognition further our understanding of this interaction? These questions are addressed here analysing accounts from singers performing the author’s mixed work Metamorphoses (2015). Combining semi-structured interviews and inspiration from Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, questions concerning the ‘self’ when listening, singing, moving and relating to fellow musicians, as well as the relationship towards the computer, are explored. The results include a notion of the computer as neither separated nor detached but both, and highlight the importance of the situation, including not only the here and now but also social and cultural dimensions. The discussion emphasises the role of sensorimotor interaction and bodily experience in human meaning-making.

scholarly journals ‘I Sort of Never Felt Like I Should be Worried About it or That I Could be Worried About it’: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of Perceived Barriers to Disclosure by Young People with Coeliac Disease

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miranda Wheeler ◽  
Annabel David ◽  
Juliet Kennedy ◽  
Matthew Knight
Keyword(s):  
Young People ◽  
Coeliac Disease ◽  
Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Information Provision ◽  
Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Perceived Barriers ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Support Design ◽  
Psychological Difficulties

Objectives: There has been little research in the UK regarding young people’s experiences of disclosure of psychological difficulties relating to coeliac disease (CD) to others, particularly healthcare professionals. This study sought to address this systematically with a focus on the lived experiences of young people with CD. This study aimed to gain insight into how paediatric gastroenterology services could improve patient experience for those with CD and support identification of patients who may benefit from further psychological support. Design: This study used interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA) of patient accounts.Methods: Seven young people with CD (aged 11-16 years) were recruited from a UK hospital paediatric gastroenterology service. Semi-structured interviews were carried out and verbatim transcripts were analysed using IPA to explore young people’s experiences of CD and why they might feel able or unable to disclose psychological difficulties associated with their condition to clinicians. Results: Three superordinate themes emerged from the data. The first encapsulated experiences of adjusting to the diagnosis within a developmental context, including the role of adults in information provision and the importance of peer support. The second outlined experiences of managing perceived or actual stigma regarding others’ perceptions of the condition and themselves. The third incorporated perceived barriers to disclosure relating to power, safety, and beliefs about the role of medical professionals.Conclusions: Findings highlight the importance of clinicians continually providing developmentally appropriate information to young people and actively breaking down barriers to disclosure through body language and use of clear questions regarding emotional experiences.

Confiding in others: exploring the experiences of young people who have been in care

2020 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
pp. 156-172
Author(s):  
Joshua Eldridge ◽  
Mary John ◽  
Kate Gleeson
Keyword(s):  
Young People ◽  
Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Attachment Security ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Internal Conflict ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Potential Development ◽  
Open Versus ◽  
Care System

In the general population, confiding is typically associated with increased well-being, reduced distress and strengthened relationships. However, there is a lack of research exploring the role of confiding among young people who have been in the care system. The current study employed Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) to guide the analysis of semi-structured interviews with eight young people with a range of care experiences, looking at the topic of confiding in others. Five themes emerged from the data analysis that indicated difficulties with confiding related to: holding unacceptable identities that are difficult to reveal to others; holding anticipations and expectations that confiding leads to harm; experiencing internal conflict between wanting to be open versus wanting to remain closed; and varying opportunities to develop trusted, confiding relationships across different environments within the care system. The findings suggest a need for safe, secure and stable care placements that can support the potential development of trusted confiding relationships wherein young people may be able to develop greater attachment security, and the capacity to build safe, supportive and trusted relationships through their lives. Implications for practice are discussed.

Prison Suicide

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philippa Tomczak
Keyword(s):  
Large Range ◽  
Document Analysis ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Prison Staff ◽  
England And Wales ◽  
Significant Burden ◽  
Self Harm ◽  
Political Decisions

Prison suicide is a global problem, but little is known about about investigatory processes occurring after prison suicides. This book addresses this gap, providing a case study of the investigations that follow prison suicides in England and Wales. Despite the large range of prison oversight institutions in England and Wales, prison suicides reached a record high in 2016, with the rate having doubled between 2012 and 2016. These deaths represent the sharp end of a continuum of suffering, self-harm, despair and distress within prisons, which affects prisoners, their families and prison staff. This book details and critiques the lengthy and expensive police, ombudsman and coroner investigations that follow prison suicides. Drawing on extensive document analysis, including over 100 Prison and Probation Ombudsman fatal incident investigations, and original semi-structured interviews with stakeholders undertaken between 2016-2017, this book provides a novel analysis of prison oversight. This book argues that post-suicide investigations create a significant burden for bereaved families and prison staff. The investigations are valuable, but can manufacture mystery around entirely manifest prison problems and obfuscate the role of deliberate political decisions in creating those problems.

Exploring the double-edged sword of familiness from a knowledge-based perspective

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 71-96
Author(s):  
Omar Belkhodja ◽  
Abdelkader Daghfous
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Family Relationships ◽  
Family Firms ◽  
Organizational Outcomes ◽  
Comparative Case Study ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Knowledge Based

PurposeFor family businesses, familiness constitutes a unique bundle of resources and capabilities resulting from family relationships and influences. The extant literature has shown that familiness impacts organizational outcomes such as performance and innovation. This paper investigates the role of familiness in relation to absorptive capacity (ACAP). It also explores the specificities of nonfamily members’ social capital when different knowledge management (KM) approaches are adopted.Design/methodology/approachAn exploratory comparative case study design is adopted. Data from three family firms based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) provide the empirical setting for this study. The data were collected using semi-structured interviews, available documents, observations and company websites.FindingsOur results reveal that the role of familiness in relation to ACAP varies according to the adopted KM approach. Familiness targets the potential ACAP when an explicit KM approach is adopted, the realized ACAP when a tacit KM approach is adopted, and both potential and realized ACAPs when a strategic KM approach is adopted. Our results also show that family firms invest in KM processes that support knowledge exploration and/or exploitation.Originality/valueThis paper provides further evidence for the role of familiness. It moves beyond the study of familiness from a resource-based view and adopts a knowledge-based perspective to develop a better understanding of the role of familiness in relation to ACAP. It also improves our understanding of nonfamily members’ social capital in family firms.

scholarly journals Parents' perspectives on adolescent self-harm: Qualitative study

2008 ◽  
Vol 193 (2) ◽  
pp. 140-144 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Oldershaw ◽  
Clair Richards ◽  
Mima Simic ◽  
Ulrike Schmidt
Keyword(s):  
Health Services ◽  
Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Sense Of Self ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Health Service Provision ◽  
Personal Impact ◽  
Communication Difficulties ◽  
History Of ◽  
Self Harm ◽  
Service Contact

BackgroundParents' perspectives on self-harm are considered important, but have not been explored.AimsTo gain perspective of parents of adolescents who self-harm on: (a) history of self-harm and health service provision; (b) their understanding and ability to make sense of self-harm behaviour; (c) emotional and personal impact; and (d) parent skills as carer and hope for the future.MethodInterpretative phenomenological analysis was applied to semi-structured interviews with 12 parents of adolescents receiving treatment for self-harm in community child and adolescent mental health services.ResultsParents commonly suspected and spotted self-harm prior to disclosure or service contact; however, communication difficulties and underestimating significance led to delays in addressing the behaviour. Parents struggled to understand and cope with self-harm.ConclusionsParents require advice and support from outside services to help them manage self-harming behaviour and its personal impact. This study suggests parents are early to spot signs of self-harm, indicating their key role in reaching young people in the community who remain unknown to health services.

The Role of the Family in Genetic Testing: Theoretical Perspectives, Current Knowledge, and Future Directions

2005 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 627-639 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan K. Peterson
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Testing ◽  
Family Communication ◽  
Family Relationships ◽  
Family System ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Theoretical Approaches ◽  
The Family ◽  
Family Based

This article addresses conceptual challenges and theoretical approaches for examining the role of the family in responding and adapting to genetic testing for inherited conditions. Using a family systems perspective, family-based constructs that are relevant to genetic testing may be organized into three domains: family communication, organization and structure of family relationships, and health-related cognitions and beliefs shared within families. Empirical findings are presented from key content areas in family-based genetics research, including family communication, how genetic testing affects family relationships, psychological responses to genetic testing in the family context, and family-based influences on health decisions. Future research should explore decision making about genetic testing or behavior change specifically within the context of the family system and should identify family-based determinants of genetic testing outcomes.

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