TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2021//
TI  - Investigating the relationship between childhood sexual abuse, self-harm repetition and suicidal intent: mixed-methods study
JO  - BJPsych open
A1  - Sadath, Anvar
A1  - Cassidy, Eugene
A1  - Leahy, Dorothy
A1  - Cully, Grace
A1  - Troya, Maria Isabela
A1  - Arensman, Ella
A1  - Shiely, Frances
A1  - Jeffers, Anne
A1  - Alberdi-Páramo, Íñigo
A1  - Ramos Costa, Ana Paula
A1  - Nicholson, Sarah
SP  - e125
EP  - e125
VL  - 7
IS  - 4
N2  - 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>
LA  - en
SN  - 2056-4724
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1192/bjo.2021.962
ID  - ref1
ER  -