This investigation aimed to identify some of the personal and interpersonal processes involved in deliberate self-harm at a residential treatment setting for adolescents with mental health problems. A qualitative approach was used, which included interviews and participant observation. Six adolescents with a history of deliberate self-harm were interviewed about their perceptions of deliberate selfharm. The interviews were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Process notes from observations at the unit community meeting were used to provide support for the themes generated in the interviews. Deliberate selfharm was identified as a response to conflict or feeling distressed or angry. It left other patients feeling angry, upset and burdened with a sense of responsibility. Subgroups of 'self-harming for genuine reasons' and 'self-harming for attention' emerged as a central theme. Adolescents competed to be a genuine self-harmer: this led to feeling a need to cause a certain level of damage when self-harming and to harm in secret. Seeking help was difficult. The study concluded that group treatment methods were indicated, as well as challenging the traditional response to deliberate self-harm of not giving attention.

This investigation aimed to look at how a group of young offenders attending an inner-city youth offending team experienced adverse and traumatic life events. A qualitative approach was used and semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight young offenders about their perceptions of difficult experiences and the effects of such events. The interviews were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (Smith, Jarman, & Osborn, 1999). Analysis of the accounts yielded a number of themes. Young offenders experienced violence at home, in the community and in custody. Instability and transitions emerged as important themes in relation to school and home. Deprivation was experienced both in terms of poverty and the literal and emotional absence of parents. A variety of cognitive, emotional and behavioural responses to adverse/traumatic experiences were identified, including a blocking out of painful experience and aggression to self and others. There were barriers to seeking or making use of professional support. Custody appeared to offer an opportunity to reflect on and re-evaluate life trajectory. The study concluded that greater consideration of trauma when carrying out assessments would enable ;at risk' young offenders to be identified using clinical interviewing along side standardized measures to aid assessment of the complexity and uniqueness of the response to trauma.

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