Negative Life Events Associated With Deliberate Self-Harm in an African Population in Uganda

Crisis ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 4-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Kinyanda ◽  
H. Hjelmeland ◽  
S. Musisi
Keyword(s):  
Life Events ◽  
Negative Life Events ◽  
Life Time ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Dose Effect ◽  
Deliberate Self Harm ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Self Harm ◽  
Suicide Interventions

Abstract. Negative life events associated with deliberate self-harm (DSH) were investigated in an African context in Uganda. Patients admitted at three general hospitals in Kampala, Uganda were interviewed using a Luganda version (predominant language in the study area) of the European Parasuicide Study Interview Schedule I. The results of the life events and histories module are reported in this paper. The categories of negative life events in childhood that were significantly associated with DSH included those related to parents, significant others, personal events, and the total negative life events load in childhood. For the later-life time period, the negative life events load in the partner category and the total negative life events in this time period were associated with DSH. In the last-year time period, the negative life events load related to personal events and the total number of negative life events in this time period were associated with DSH. A statistically significant difference between the cases and controls for the total number of negative life events reported over the entire lifetime of the respondents was also observed, which suggests a dose effect of negative life events on DSH. Gender differences were also observed among the cases. In conclusion, life events appear to be an important factor in DSH in this cultural environment. The implication of these results for treatment and the future development of suicide interventions in this country are discussed.

scholarly journals Background stressors and deliberate self-harm

2003 ◽  
Vol 27 (11) ◽  
pp. 411-415 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helen S. Keeley ◽  
Mary O'Sullivan ◽  
Paul Corcoran
Keyword(s):  
Life Events ◽  
Interpersonal Problems ◽  
Dysfunctional Family ◽  
Deliberate Self Harm ◽  
Monitoring Study ◽  
History Of ◽  
Self Harm ◽  
Background History ◽  
Prospective Monitoring

Aims and MethodIn this study we aimed to identify negative life events, especially those associated with repetition, in the background histories of patients in a 2-year prospective monitoring study of hospital-treated deliberate self-harm (DSH). Thematic analysis of the narratives recorded during assessment was used to produce general categories of life events.ResultsIn 3031 DSH episodes (n=2287 individuals), women reported more life events than men. Family and interpersonal problems were most commonly reported. Reporting a dysfunctional family of origin, a history of sexual abuse and the imprisonment of self or other were associated with repetition retrospectively and prospectively.Clinical ImplicationsThe background history of patients who harm themselves should be explored routinely on assessment in order to help establish risk of repetition and to determine appropriate follow-up.

scholarly journals Comparison of the assessment by doctors and nurses of deliberate self-harm

2003 ◽  
Vol 27 (02) ◽  
pp. 57-60
Author(s):  
Sian Nerys Weston
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
Psychiatric Nurses ◽  
Deliberate Self Harm ◽  
Use Of Resources ◽  
Community Psychiatric ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Referral Practices ◽  
Self Harm ◽  
Doctors And Nurses

Aims and Method To compare the assessment by community psychiatric nurses and junior psychiatric doctors of individuals following deliberate self-harm (DSH) and, in particular, to elicit differences in referral practices and perceptions of mental illness. The health professionals involved completed questionnaires after carrying out DSH assessment. Results There was a significant difference in referral patterns between doctors and nurses after DSH assessment. Doctors were significantly more likely to refer individuals for psychiatric follow-up which involved direct contact with other doctors (51 of 72 (71%) compared with 60 of 175 (34%)). Doctors were also significantly more likely than nurses to perceive individuals as having a mental illness (57 of 72 (79%) compared with 86 of 175 (49%)). Clinical Implications Further research is warranted to establish the precise reasons for these differences, and to determine whether the widespread introduction of nurse-led services is an effective and efficient use of resources.

scholarly journals Does Lent affect rates of deliberate self-harm?

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
N. Moloney ◽  
K. Glynn ◽  
E. Harding ◽  
V. Murphy ◽  
G. Gulati
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Protective Factor ◽  
Religious Affiliation ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Deliberate Self Harm ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Chi Squared ◽  
Ethical Approval ◽  
Self Harm

Background Research has shown that religious affiliation has a protective effect against deliberate self-harm. This is particularly pronounced in periods of increased religious significance, such as periods of worship, celebration, and fasting. However, no data exist as to whether this effect is present during the Christian period of Lent. Our hypothesis was that Lent would lead to decreased presentations of self-harm emergency department (ED) in a predominantly Catholic area of Ireland. Methods Following ethical approval, we retrospectively analysed data on presentations to the ED of University Hospital Limerick during the period of Lent and the 40 days immediately preceding it. Frequency data were compared using Pearson’s chi-squared tests in SPSS. Results There was no significant difference in the overall number of people presenting to the ED with self-harm during Lent compared to the 40 days preceding it (χ2 = 0.75, df = 1, p > 0.05), and there was no difference in methods of self-harm used. However, there was a significant increase in attendances with self-harm during Lent in the over 50’s age group (χ2 = 7.76, df = 1, p = 0.005). Conclusions Based on our study, Lent is not a protective factor for deliberate self-harm and was associated with increased presentations in the over 50’s age group. Further large-scale studies are warranted to investigate this finding as it has implications for prevention and management of deliberate self-harm.

Negative old-age life events and well-being in later life: the moderating and mediating role of loneliness

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Lise Switsers ◽  
Eva Dierckx ◽  
Joan Domènech-Abella ◽  
Liesbeth De Donder ◽  
Sarah Dury ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Life Events ◽  
Negative Life Events ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Negative Events ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Social Contacts ◽  
Social And Emotional ◽  
Emotional Loneliness

ABSTRACT Objectives: Although older adults often experience negative life events or loss experiences, they rarely experience large decreases in their quality of life or well-being. Emotionally satisfying relationships in older adults may serve as a protective factor that reduces the impact of negative events in decreasing well-being. The availability of these close social contacts is essential, and their potential for alleviating feelings of loneliness after negative events could have an important role in promoting well-being. The aim of this study was to test the hypothetical moderation and mediation effects of social and emotional loneliness on the occurrence of negative old-age life events and well-being in later life. Design: This was a cross-sectional survey conducted as part of the Detection, Support and Care for older people – Prevention and Empowerment research project (2015–2018). Setting: Participants were community-dwelling older adults in Flanders (Belgium). Participants: The sample composed of 770 participants aged 60 years and over. Measurements: Participant demographics, social and emotional loneliness, and subjective well-being were measured. Moderation and mediation analyses were performed using the regression-based approach as conducted by Hayes and Rockwood (2017). Results: Results indicated that a low degree of (social) loneliness is a protective, moderating factor and (emotional) loneliness is a mediating factor on the effects of negative life events on well-being in later life. Conclusions: Findings highlight the importance of emotionally and socially satisfying social contacts in order to maintain positive subjective well-being in later life when negative life events may occur.

Negative life events and self-harm among the elderly: Result from a survey of 7070 people aged≥60 in China

2021 ◽  
Vol 298 ◽  
pp. 113727
Author(s):  
Zhuang Hong ◽  
Hongjing Zhang ◽  
Lingzhong Xu ◽  
Jinling Zhou ◽  
Fanlei Kong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life Events ◽  
Negative Life Events ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Self Harm

Deliberate self-harm: how feasible are the current guidelines?

1999 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 61-63 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan Currie ◽  
Richard Blennerhassett
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
Ad Hoc ◽  
Recent Attempt ◽  
Deliberate Self Harm ◽  
Time Period ◽  
After Care ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Self Harm ◽  
Planning Group

AbstractObjectives: To examine the operation of a deliberate self-harm service at a large general hospital with reference to standards outlined by the Royal College of Psychiatrists. To examine the characteristics of referrals and to make recommendations for improvements to the service.Method: Data on referral and assessment characteristics were collected for 96 consecutive referrals over a three month period.Results: The services achieved the college standards in relation to the time period for assessments. Most referrals were made routinely at a predictable time but assessments were conducted on an ad hoc basis. Only a minority of those referred had a mental illness or complex problems. A significant number of patients were discharged from the A&E department without a psychiatric assessment. Assessors underemphasised the role of previous deliberate self-harm and/or the presence of mental illness in forming a judgment on the risk of suicide. After-care arrangements were predominantly medical (general practitioners or psychiatrists) with little multidisciplinary input.Conclusions: The deliberate self-harm service at the hospital could be improved by the establishment of a self-harm services planning group to oversee the delivery of the service throughout the hospital and address the deficits identified. Given the number of referrals seen within the service and the fact that deliberate self-harm is only one element of a comprehensive liaison service, consideration should be given to the establishment of a separate multi-disciplinary liaison team. Once again importance is drawn to the need for all assessors to be aware of the risk factors in relation to the future risk of suicide rather than placing undue emphasis on whether the most recent attempt was planned or impulsive in nature.

scholarly journals Comparison of the assessment by doctors and nurses of deliberate self-harm

2003 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 57-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sian Nerys Weston
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
Psychiatric Nurses ◽  
Deliberate Self Harm ◽  
Use Of Resources ◽  
Community Psychiatric ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Referral Practices ◽  
Self Harm ◽  
Doctors And Nurses

Aims and MethodTo compare the assessment by community psychiatric nurses and junior psychiatric doctors of individuals following deliberate self-harm (DSH) and, in particular, to elicit differences in referral practices and perceptions of mental illness. The health professionals involved completed questionnaires after carrying out DSH assessment.ResultsThere was a significant difference in referral patterns between doctors and nurses after DSH assessment. Doctors were significantly more likely to refer individuals for psychiatric follow-up which involved direct contact with other doctors (51 of 72 (71%) compared with 60 of 175 (34%)). Doctors were also significantly more likely than nurses to perceive individuals as having a mental illness (57 of 72 (79%) compared with 86 of 175 (49%)).Clinical ImplicationsFurther research is warranted to establish the precise reasons for these differences, and to determine whether the widespread introduction of nurse-led services is an effective and efficient use of resources.

Effect of Life Events, Social Supports, and Personality on Mental Status in Later Life

2017 ◽  
Vol 86 (2) ◽  
pp. 111-130 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyuho Lee ◽  
Marissa Holst ◽  
Peter Martin ◽  
Leonard W. Poon
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Life Events ◽  
Mental Status ◽  
Negative Life Events ◽  
Oldest Old ◽  
Social Supports ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Negative Experiences ◽  
Old Adults ◽  
Study Results

The goal of this study was to explore the influences of proximal and distal life events on mental status in later life. Additionally, life events were categorized into positive and negative experiences. Data from 208 older adults over 80 years of age from the Georgia Centenarian Study were included in this study. Results from a series of blockwise regression analyses indicated that the number of distal negative life events that older adults had experienced was a predictor of older adults’ better mental status. Oldest-old adults’ age, education, social supports, and social provision were also associated with their cognition. Cumulative negative life events may protect people in cognitive function as implicated by our results.

scholarly journals Referrals to liaison services for older adults with deliberate self harm during the SARS-CoV-2 national lockdown - a collaborative service evaluation using liaison referral data

BJPsych Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (S1) ◽  
pp. S33-S33
Author(s):  
Josie Jenkinson ◽  
Kehinde Junaid ◽  
Sara Ormerod ◽  
Sunita Sahu ◽  
Hugh Grant-Peterkin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Individual Case ◽  
Service Evaluation ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Deliberate Self Harm ◽  
Completed Suicide ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Self Harm ◽  
The Uk

AimsSocial isolation and living alone have been associated with increased suicidality in older adults. During the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, older adults were advised to keep isolated and maintain social distancing. Lockdown periods in England may have led to increased isolation and loneliness in older people, possibly resulting in an increased rates of DSH and suicide. This study aimed to explore whether numbers of older adults referred to liaison services with deliberate self harm changed during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.MethodReason for referral and total number of referrals to liaison services for older adults data were collected across 6 mental health trusts who had access to robust data sets. Data were collected prospectively for three months from the start of the UK national lockdown and for the corresponding 3 month period in 2019, via trust reporting systems. This study was registered as service evaluation within each of the participating mental health trusts.ResultOverall numbers of referrals to older adult liaison services went down, but the proportion of referrals for older adults with DSH increased. Across the six mental health trusts there there were a total of 2167 referrals over the first three month lockdown period in 2020, and 170 (7.84%) of these referrals were for deliberate self harm. During a corresponding time period in 2019, there were a total of 3416 referrals and 155 (4.54%) of these referrals were for deliberate self harmConclusionAlthough numbers of referrals for older adults with delberate self harm appeared to stay the same, the severity of these presentations is not clear. Outcomes of referrals and severity of self harm could be explored by examining individual case records. As there have been subsequent lockdowns the data collection period should also be extended to include these. Triangulation with national and local datasets on completed suicide is planned.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document