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Parental Response Style to Adolescent Self-Harm: Psychological, Social and Functional Impacts

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  • Michelle L. Townsend

    (School of Psychology, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
    Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia)

  • Caitlin E. Miller

    (School of Psychology, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
    Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia)

  • Emily L. Matthews

    (School of Psychology, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
    Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia)

  • Brin F. S. Grenyer

    (School of Psychology, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
    Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia)

Abstract

Adolescent self-harm is a significant public health issue. We aimed to understand how parent stress response styles to their child’s self-harm affects their wellbeing and functioning and the wider family. Thirty-seven participants in Australia (parents; 92% female) completed a mixed methods survey regarding their adolescent child’s self-harm. We conducted Pearson zero-order correlations and independent t -tests to examine the impact of parent response style on their quality of life, health satisfaction, daily functioning, and mental health. We also used thematic analysis to identify patterns of meaning in the data. Two-thirds of participants reported mental ill health and reduced functional capacity due to their adolescent’s self-harm. Parents with a more adaptive response style to stress had better mental health. Qualitative analyses revealed parents experienced sustained feelings of distress and fear, which resulted in behavioural reactions including hypervigilance and parental mental health symptoms. In the wider family there was a change in dynamics and parents reported both functional and social impacts. There is a need to develop psychological support for the adolescent affected and parents, to support more adaptive response styles, and decrease the negative effects and facilitate the wellbeing of the family unit.

Suggested Citation

  • Michelle L. Townsend & Caitlin E. Miller & Emily L. Matthews & Brin F. S. Grenyer, 2021. "Parental Response Style to Adolescent Self-Harm: Psychological, Social and Functional Impacts," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(24), pages 1-17, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:24:p:13407-:d:706673
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Karolina Krysinska & Sophie Curtis & Michelle Lamblin & Nina Stefanac & Kerry Gibson & Sadhbh Byrne & Pinar Thorn & Simon M. Rice & Alison McRoberts & Anne Ferrey & Yael Perry & Ashleigh Lin & Sarah H, 2020. "Parents’ Experience and Psychoeducation Needs When Supporting a Young Person Who Self-Harms," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(10), pages 1-15, May.
    2. Sophie Curtis & Pinar Thorn & Alison McRoberts & Sarah Hetrick & Simon Rice & Jo Robinson, 2018. "Caring for Young People Who Self-Harm: A Review of Perspectives from Families and Young People," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-14, May.
    3. The Whoqol Group, 1998. "The World Health Organization quality of life assessment (WHOQOL): Development and general psychometric properties," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 46(12), pages 1569-1585, June.
    4. Wadman, Ruth & Vostanis, Panos & Sayal, Kapil & Majumder, Pallab & Harroe, Caroline & Clarke, David & Armstrong, Marie & Townsend, Ellen, 2018. "An interpretative phenomenological analysis of young people's self-harm in the context of interpersonal stressors and supports: Parents, peers, and clinical services," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 212(C), pages 120-128.
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    1. Demee Rheinberger & Fiona Shand & Lauren McGillivray & Sonia McCallum & Katherine Boydell, 2023. "Parents of Adolescents Who Experience Suicidal Phenomena—A Scoping Review of Their Experience," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(13), pages 1-17, June.

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