An exploratory study into the factors which influence nursing staff's attributions, beliefs and behaviour towards individuals who self-harm

• Main Author: Dewis, Sally Marie
• Published: University of Edinburgh 2008
• Subjects: 155
• Online Access: http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.649504

Previous research into self-harm suggests that nurses frequently hold negative views about individuals who self-harm. In addition there is little consensus in the literature on definitions and causes of self-harm, or the impact of nurses’ beliefs on their care giving to this group. This study aimed to explore nurses’ attributions, beliefs and behaviour towards self-harm and to identify the impact of this work on nurses. Q Sort methodology was used in this study to investigate the attitudes and self-reported behaviour of a group of nurses towards people who self-harm. Participants also completed a standardised measure of burnout. Factor analysis of Q sort responses resulted in eight factors reflecting mainly positive attitudes but some struggling to understand the individual who self-harms. Analysis yielded no differences between short and longer term working, but nurses’ personal accomplishment increased from training which discussed self-harm. Implications for theory, clinical practice and service delivery are discussed.