@article{ref1,
title="Investigating the relationship between childhood sexual abuse, self-harm repetition and suicidal intent: mixed-methods study",
journal="BJPsych open",
year="2021",
author="Sadath, Anvar and Cassidy, Eugene and Leahy, Dorothy and Cully, Grace and Troya, Maria Isabela and Arensman, Ella and Shiely, Frances and Jeffers, Anne and Alberdi-Páramo, Íñigo and Ramos Costa, Ana Paula and Nicholson, Sarah",
volume="7",
number="4",
pages="e125-e125",
abstract="BACKGROUND: Research into the association between childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and self-harm repetition is limited. AIMS: We aimed to examine the association between self-harm repetition, mental health conditions, suicidal intent and CSA experiences among people who frequently self-harm. <br><br>METHOD: A mixed-methods study was conducted including consecutive patients aged ≥18 years, with five or more self-harm presentations, in three Irish hospitals. Information was extracted from psychiatric records and patients were invited to participate in a semi-structured interview. Data was collected and analysed with a mixed-methods, convergent parallel design. In tandem, the association between CSA and self-harm repetition, suicidal intent and mental health conditions was examined with logistic regression models and independent sample t-test, with psychiatric records data. Thematic analysis was conducted with interview data, to explore CSA experiences and self-harm repetition. <br><br>RESULTS: Between March 2016 and July 2019, information was obtained on 188 consecutive participants, with 36 participants completing an interview. CSA was recorded in 42% of the total sample and 72.2% of those interviewed. CSA was positively associated with self-harm repetition (odds ratio 6.26, 95% CI 3.94-9.94, P = 0.00). Three themes emerged when exploring participants' CSA experiences: CSA as a precipitating factor for self-harm, secrecy of CSA accentuating shame, and loss experiences linked to CSA and self-harm. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: CSA was frequently reported among people who frequently self-harm, and associated with self-harm repetition. Identification of patients at risk of repetition is key for suicide prevention. This is an at-risk group with particular characteristics that must be considered; comprehensive patient histories can help inform and tailor treatment pathways.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="2056-4724",
doi="10.1192/bjo.2021.962",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1192/bjo.2021.962"
}