The social context of deliberate self-harm
A qualitative exploration of professional and lay perspectives

PIs: Michael Sharpe (Department of Psychiatry, Univ of Edinburgh),

Stephen Platt (RUHBC), Natasha Mauthner (Univ of Aberdeen),
Odette Parry (RUHBC) and Stephen Potts (Edinburgh Royal Infirmary)

Reseach Fellow: Marcus Redley (RUHBC)

Project description

This study aims to develop an understanding of the social context (interpersonal, socioeconomic and sociocultural) of non-fatal deliberate self-harm (DSH) in an area of multiple deprivation (Greater Pilton in Edinburgh city). Fifty patients will be identified following admission for repeated DSH to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh. Interviews exploring the social factors that led up to the episode of DSH will be conducted with the patient, a significant other, and hospital and community professionals involved in the patient's care. In addition, background social, cultural and economic data about the Greater Pilton area will be gathered by means of documentary analysis, observation, and interviews and group discussions with local health and welfare service providers. We anticipate that the findings will generate new hypotheses concerning the aetiology of repeated DSH and inform the development of more effective secondary prevention interventions which can subsequently be evaluated using a randomised controlled trial design.

Further information

Contact Odette Parry or Stephen Platt, PIs.