Exploring How Intent of Self-Harm Affects Trainee Healthcare Practitioners’ Views, Attitudes and Clinical Decision-Making in Northwest England
A Qualitative Study
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 15514933 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Destiny Priya Kumari (0000-0002-6544-6973, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, corresponding author), Kathryn Jane Gardner (0000-0003-3904-1638, University of Lancashire), Peter Taylor (0000-0001-7456-3744, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Volume | 22 |
| Issue | 10 |
| Pages | 1563-1563 |
| Publication date | 2025-10-14 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601 |
| Publisher | Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH) |
| DOI | 10.3390/ijerph22101563 |
| PMID | 41154967 |
| OpenAlex | W4415210629 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 93 |
Self-harm is often stigmatised by healthcare professionals. Little is known about how certain characteristics of the behaviour, like the degree of suicidal intent, affect clinicians' judgements and responses. This study explored how intent of self-harm (suicidal or non-suicidal) affects trainee practitioners' views and attitudes towards behaviour and clinical decision-making. A qualitative study using semi-structured online interviews was conducted. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using a reflexive thematic analysis. Fifteen trainee healthcare practitioners (psychological wellbeing practitioners, clinical/counselling psychologists, nurses, and medics) were interviewed. Three themes were identified: (1) interpreting intent in self-harm: clinical utility and challenges, (2) the perceived responsibility of self-harm, (3) trainees' struggle for equal care in a hierarchical system. Participants observed staff expressing pejorative views towards both forms of self-harm but did not share them. Across most clinical decisions, intent informed trainees' judgements and beliefs. Clients presenting with suicidal-related self-harm received more urgent care but fewer therapeutic interventions. Trainees felt ambivalent about distinguishing intent. Nevertheless, this distinction was evident across treatment, risk and care decisions. A consistent approach towards suicidal and non-suicidal self-harm is important. Trainees should be supported in addressing difficult emotions arising from this work, helping to shift the blame culture and promoting a more empathic approach
Ambivalence · Blame · Health care · Narrative · Pejorative · Qualitative research · Reflexivity · Thematic analysis · Healthcare professionals’ stress and burnout · Mental Health Treatment and Access · Suicide and Self-Harm Studies
The psychology of suicidal behaviour
Therapeutic Interventions for Suicide Attempts and Self-Harm in Adolescents
Prevalence of non-suicidal self-harm and service contact in England, 2000–14
The Oxford Handbook of Philosophy and Psychiatry
Beliefs about the function of self-harm and stigmatizing responses
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Reflecting on reflexive thematic analysis
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How stigma interferes with mental health care
Sample Size in Qualitative Interview Studies
Risk assessment practice within primary mental health care
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Conceptualizing Stigma
| Highly cited | No |
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