TY - JOUR
T1 - Parents’ experiences of nonsuicidal self-injury among adolescents and young adults
AU - Kelada, Lauren
AU - Whitlock, Janis
AU - Hasking, Penelope
AU - Melvin, Glenn
PY - 2016/11/1
Y1 - 2016/11/1
N2 - We assessed the impact of adolescent nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) on parents in two studies. In Study 1, 16 Australian parents of adolescents with a history of nonsuicidal self-injury responded to open-ended questions about their child’s nonsuicidal self-injury. Data from 10 of the adolescents were matched with parents’ responses regarding the nature and extent of nonsuicidal self-injury, revealing that parents underestimated the frequency of nonsuicidal self-injury, the age of onset, and the likelihood their child would continue to self-injure. In Study 2, 22 American parents of adolescents with a history of nonsuicidal self-injury participated in interviews about their experiences. Parents in both studies reported changes in the parent–adolescent relationship after self-injury, which posed challenges to the family unit. When professional help had been sought, experiences were largely negative. Results support further investigation into family-based interventions to equip parents with tools to better relate to, and communicate with, their adolescent following self-injury. Results also suggest that mental-health professionals and general practitioners may require further training for nonsuicidal self-injury.
AB - We assessed the impact of adolescent nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) on parents in two studies. In Study 1, 16 Australian parents of adolescents with a history of nonsuicidal self-injury responded to open-ended questions about their child’s nonsuicidal self-injury. Data from 10 of the adolescents were matched with parents’ responses regarding the nature and extent of nonsuicidal self-injury, revealing that parents underestimated the frequency of nonsuicidal self-injury, the age of onset, and the likelihood their child would continue to self-injure. In Study 2, 22 American parents of adolescents with a history of nonsuicidal self-injury participated in interviews about their experiences. Parents in both studies reported changes in the parent–adolescent relationship after self-injury, which posed challenges to the family unit. When professional help had been sought, experiences were largely negative. Results support further investigation into family-based interventions to equip parents with tools to better relate to, and communicate with, their adolescent following self-injury. Results also suggest that mental-health professionals and general practitioners may require further training for nonsuicidal self-injury.
KW - Adolescents
KW - Parental wellbeing
KW - Self-injury
KW - Young adults
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84983467667&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/s10826-016-0496-4
DO - 10.1007/s10826-016-0496-4
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84983467667
VL - 25
SP - 3403
EP - 3416
JO - Journal of Child and Family Studies
JF - Journal of Child and Family Studies
SN - 1062-1024
IS - 11
ER -