TY - JOUR
T1 - When the time is right
T2 - Men's experiences of recovery in self-harm
AU - Gabrielsson, Sebastian
AU - Wolpher, Nicole
AU - Zammata, Elias
AU - Fagerström, Lisbeth
AU - Lindgren, Britt Marie
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 The Authors. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.
PY - 2024/8
Y1 - 2024/8
N2 - Previous research has mainly focused on self-harm among women, defining what it is, what functions it has, how to manage and prevent self-harm, and how to recover from it. A recent review of the literature on self-harm among men concluded that research need to consider both clinical and personal aspects of recovery and pointed out the need to explore recovery from men's point of view. This study aimed to describe men's experiences of recovery in self-harm. Data were collected in Sweden in 2020 using semi-structured interviews. Eleven men who had recovered in self-harm were interviewed. Interviews were analysed using an abductive approach to qualitative content analysis. The analysis involved the application of an established framework for personal recovery in mental illness: connectedness, hope, identity, meaning, and empowerment (CHIME). The analysis identified one main theme: when the time is right, and five sub-themes: finding support in others; trusting that change is possible; getting to know yourself; reaching a new understanding; and developing new strategies to manage life. While the cessation of self-harm might both be a sign of and contribute to recovery, it is not the defining feature of recovery. Mental health professionals should be persistent in providing person-centred, recovery-oriented care for men who self-harm. The CHIME framework can be applied in the context of men's recovery in self-harm. This study is reported in accordance with the COREQ guidelines.
AB - Previous research has mainly focused on self-harm among women, defining what it is, what functions it has, how to manage and prevent self-harm, and how to recover from it. A recent review of the literature on self-harm among men concluded that research need to consider both clinical and personal aspects of recovery and pointed out the need to explore recovery from men's point of view. This study aimed to describe men's experiences of recovery in self-harm. Data were collected in Sweden in 2020 using semi-structured interviews. Eleven men who had recovered in self-harm were interviewed. Interviews were analysed using an abductive approach to qualitative content analysis. The analysis involved the application of an established framework for personal recovery in mental illness: connectedness, hope, identity, meaning, and empowerment (CHIME). The analysis identified one main theme: when the time is right, and five sub-themes: finding support in others; trusting that change is possible; getting to know yourself; reaching a new understanding; and developing new strategies to manage life. While the cessation of self-harm might both be a sign of and contribute to recovery, it is not the defining feature of recovery. Mental health professionals should be persistent in providing person-centred, recovery-oriented care for men who self-harm. The CHIME framework can be applied in the context of men's recovery in self-harm. This study is reported in accordance with the COREQ guidelines.
KW - men's health
KW - mental health recovery
KW - qualitative research
KW - self-injurious behaviour
U2 - 10.1111/inm.13319
DO - 10.1111/inm.13319
M3 - Article
C2 - 38459624
AN - SCOPUS:85187168251
SN - 1445-8330
VL - 33
SP - 1110
EP - 1118
JO - International Journal of Mental Health Nursing
JF - International Journal of Mental Health Nursing
IS - 4
ER -