The quest for genuine care : A qualitative study of the experiences of young people who self-harm in residential care

Levels of self-harm for young people in care are high, and even higher for those in residential care. Recent research highlights the importance of understanding self-harm relationally. Such an approach may be of particular value for understanding the self-harm of young people in care. The aim of this research was to understand the experiences of young people who self-harm whilst living in residential care, with a particular focus on the effect of the care setting on their self-harm. Five young people participated in semi-structured interviews which were analysed using Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis. Four themes emerged: 'The black hole of self-harm', 'Seeking genuine care and containment', 'The cry to be understood' and 'Loss of control to the system.' Young people recognised their need for support with their self-harm, but organisationally driven approaches to managing risk contributed to a perception that the care offered was not genuine, which led to an unwillingness to accept care. The findings highlight the need for a more compassionate, relational response to young people who self-harm in residential care.

Medienart:

E-Artikel

Erscheinungsjahr:

2021

Erschienen:

2021

Enthalten in:

Zur Gesamtaufnahme - volume:26

Enthalten in:

Clinical child psychology and psychiatry - 26(2021), 2 vom: 13. Apr., Seite 418-429

Sprache:

Englisch

Beteiligte Personen:

Rouski, Charlene [VerfasserIn]
Knowles, Susan Frances [VerfasserIn]
Sellwood, William [VerfasserIn]
Hodge, Suzanne [VerfasserIn]

Links:

Volltext

Themen:

Children in care
Interpretative phenomenological analysis
Journal Article
Looked after children
Qualitative
Relational
Residential care
Self-harm

Anmerkungen:

Date Completed 15.10.2021

Date Revised 15.10.2021

published: Print-Electronic

Citation Status MEDLINE

doi:

10.1177/1359104520980037

funding:

Förderinstitution / Projekttitel:

PPN (Katalog-ID):

NLM318730731