Non-suicidal self-harm amongst incarcerated men: a qualitative study

Abstract

Purpose: To further understand the needs and motivations of incarcerated men who self-harm with no apparent suicidal intent. These have received little attention in research and policy, despite men accounting for a high and increasing proportion of self-harm in prisons.Design/methodology/approach: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 adult male prisoners with a recent history or thoughts of non-suicidal selfharm. The interviews were analysed drawing on principles of thematic analysis and discourse analysis.Findings: Against a backdrop of early traumatic experiences and more recent adverse events (including prison-related ones), self-harm was described by many as a desperate -but meaningful -coping strategy; both a means of releasing tension, sadness and frustration, and of being heard in an unresponsive system. Originality/value: These findings echo those of research conducted with women (including women prisoners) who self-harm, but challenge some of the more negative ways in which non-suicidal male prisoner self-harm has been portrayed in the (scant) previous literature. As well as pointing to the need for greater awareness of the complex needs of men in prisons, they underscore the importance of (also) exploring -and perhaps addressing -the issue of self-harm separately from suicide, and of striving to make prisons, as well as prisoners, 'healthier' and better able to cope with pressure.

A Narrative Synthesis of Qualitative Studies on Self-harming Behavior in the Correctional Setting

“…Which makes it quite understandable that I grew up with few disorders. (Marzano, et al, 2016, p. 161)…”

“…It's the way I adapted to cope, anyway (to) the situations that I’ve been in my life since I was a kid. (Marzano et al, 2016, p. 163)…”

Men who self‐harm—A scoping review of a complex phenomenon

“…In most countries, there are no specific policies or procedures to address the needs of men who self‐harm in prisons, who often self‐harm repeatedly and with no suicidal intent. There is a rather limited evidence base to suggest what the needs of such men may actually be (Marzano et al, 2016). Considering the complexity of male self‐harm reflected in our findings, the future development of therapeutic interventions and/or care approaches might benefit from addressing both clinical and personal aspects of recovery.…”