Citation

Birch S, Cole S, Hunt K, Edwards B, Reaney E. J. Ment. Health 2011; 20(3): 293-303.

Affiliation

Women's Service, Secure and Forensic Services , The Firs, Hellingly, Hailsham, East Sussex, BN27 4EP , UK.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, Informa Healthcare)

DOI

10.3109/09638237.2011.570809

PMID

21574794

Abstract

Background. This article presents the results of an audit of self-harming across three women's units over a period of 6 years. All three units use a positive risk-taking approach to self-harm whereby the risk that this behaviour presents is considered in an effort to reduce actual harm. Aims. To explore patterns and frequency of self-harm across three units within a women's service. Method. Incidents of deliberate self-harm were collected from incident forms completed across the units from 2004 to 2009. Results. Frequency graphs show a reduction of self-harm over the course of admission, and parametric analyses show that there was a significant difference in the frequency of self-harm during the first and last 3 months of admission. Conclusions. These results are discussed within a psychoanalytical framework, with particular reference to relational security and the value of positive risk-taking.

Language: en