Motives for self‐harm: views of nurses in a secure unit

Abstract

Improved understanding of self-harm and its motives may result in improved nurse-user relationships and thus safer and more effective care provision.

Human Rights Violation: Its impact on the mental well-being of LGBTI students in a South African rural-based university

“…The internalisation of anti-LGBTI attitudes, in other words, internalised homonegativity can have a devastating effect on the mental well-being of individuals. It is perceived as a significant correlate of substance use and misuse and suicide attempts and successful suicides (Sandy 2013), a view that is also reflected in this study. In addition to this association, the relationships between other mental health problems and human rights violations of LGBTI students are illustrated in Figure 1, entitled rights-impact conceptual model (RIM).…”

“…In this study, participants reported that lesbian or transgender students dated males, and restricted their socialisation to only a few friends to avoid identification of their sexual orientation. Concealment of any kind, especially in the context of sexuality, may have a paradoxical effect of leading to feelings of guilt, inferiority, anxiety and hopelessness (Sandy 2013). This is because of the constant preoccupation with hiding.…”

Mental health nurses' attitudes toward self-harm: Curricular implications

“…Self-harm is a significant international public health problem with increasing incidence (Sandy, 2013). In a document published by the World Health Organisation (WHO, 2009), it is indicated that globally between 10 and 100 million incidents of self-harming behaviour occur every year.…”

“…Tension release is one of the most commonly cited reasons by users, as they tend to report emotional release and subsequent feelings of calm following acts of self-harm (Sandy, 2013). Communication of unbearable feelings (such as anger), self-cleansing, driving others away, regaining control of their lives and coping with stigmatisation and labelling are motives also frequently expressed by users (Bosman & van Meijel, 2008).…”

“…Communication of unbearable feelings (such as anger), self-cleansing, driving others away, regaining control of their lives and coping with stigmatisation and labelling are motives also frequently expressed by users (Bosman & van Meijel, 2008). Punishing others and avoidance of the impulse to commit suicide are other reasons for selfharm, but these motives are unusual (Sandy, 2013). It is important to note that most of the research literature focusses on Western countries, yet it is well established that cultural factors play an important part in self-harm.…”