TY  - JOUR
AB  - Purpose– There is a dearth of research exploring pathways to episodes of deliberate self‐harm (DSH) within mentally ill men in high‐secure hospitals. This study aims to explore pathway(s) to episodes of self‐harm experienced by this group over the course of their life.Design/methodology/approach– A total of seven men with a history of repetitive DSH participated in audio‐taped semi‐structured interviews. Transcribed interviews were analysed using grounded theory methods.Findings– Two pathways to episodes of DSH emerged and were termed: the relief, and the response to mental health problems pathways. Participation within a dyadic suicide pact emerged as an unexpected theme.Research limitations/implications– There were a number of limitations within this study. Participants did not describe DSH episodes, which occurred within the high‐secure hospital and it was unclear as to the stage of their illness or whether co‐morbid difficulties were present during the episodes of DSH. Further research is required to substantiate the two pathways to episodes of DSH found within this study.Practical implications– The present study offers a theoretical framework for clinicians working with mentally ill men within high‐secure hospitals, who have a history of DSH and identifies the need to carefully assess each individual episode of DSH.Originality/value– This study is the first to explore pathways to episodes of self‐harm as experienced by mentally ill men within a high‐secure hospital by interviewing patients directly.
VL  - 13
IS  - 3
SN  - 1463-6646
DO  - 10.1108/14636641111157814
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1108/14636641111157814
AU  - Adamson Vidyah
AU  - Braham Louise
PY  - 2011
Y1  - 2011/01/01
TI  - Pathways to episodes of deliberate self‐harm experienced by mentally ill men in a high‐secure hospital over the course of their lives: an exploratory study
T2  - The British Journal of Forensic Practice
PB  - Emerald Group Publishing Limited
SP  - 169
EP  - 182
Y2  - 2024/09/22
ER  -