It is harder for me: A thematic analysis of lived experience of self-care, and its relationship with self-injurious behaviors in psychiatric patients
Bjärehed, Jonas LU ; Grenner, Hanna ; Pavlovic, Sara and Nilsson, Magnus LU
(2024)
In Qualitative research in Medicine and Healtcare
8(S1).
- Abstract
- Self-injury is associated with significant psychological distress and functional impairments, including difficulties with self-care. However,
little is known about how individuals engaging in self-injury perceive and manage self-care in their daily lives. This study aimed to explore
the lived experiences of self-care among individuals receiving psychiatric treatment for self-injury and to identify factors that support
or hinder self-care capacity. Twelve participants were recruited
from a psychiatric outpatient clinic and semi-structured interviews
were conducted focusing on participants’ perceptions of self-care,
its relationship with self-injury, and factors influencing self-care.
Reflexive thematic... (More) - Self-injury is associated with significant psychological distress and functional impairments, including difficulties with self-care. However,
little is known about how individuals engaging in self-injury perceive and manage self-care in their daily lives. This study aimed to explore
the lived experiences of self-care among individuals receiving psychiatric treatment for self-injury and to identify factors that support
or hinder self-care capacity. Twelve participants were recruited
from a psychiatric outpatient clinic and semi-structured interviews
were conducted focusing on participants’ perceptions of self-care,
its relationship with self-injury, and factors influencing self-care.
Reflexive thematic analysis was conducted to identify patterns and
themes. The analysis revealed four themes: i) Why should I choose
self-care?, highlighting motivational challenges rooted in low selfworth and the need for meaning; ii) Self-care is a difficult choice
for me, reflecting how emotional variability, uncertainty about selfcare, and dichotomous thinking hinder decision-making; iii) Selfcare is beyond my control, emphasizing struggles with planning,
routines, and the interplay of emotional states and self-care behaviors; and iv) Support can both help and hinder self-care, illustrating
the critical yet complex role of external support. Findings highlight
the multifaceted challenges individuals face in managing self-care
and its intersection with self-injury. Clinical implications include
the need for tailored, person-centered interventions that address
barriers to self-care. Recognizing the dual role of self-injury—as
both a barrier to and a risky form of self-care—may enhance treatment approaches for this population.
(Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
https://lup.lub.lu.se/record/38914107-ea0b-4387-947c-c599c9d8c65a
- author
- Bjärehed, Jonas
LU
; Grenner, Hanna
; Pavlovic, Sara
and Nilsson, Magnus
LU
- organization
- publishing date
- 2024
- type
- Contribution to journal
- publication status
- published
- subject
- in
- Qualitative research in Medicine and Healtcare
- volume
- 8
- issue
- S1
- article number
- 12544
- pages
- 11 pages
- external identifiers
-
- scopus:85217185501
- pmid:39901908
- DOI
- 10.4081/qrmh.2024.12544
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- id
- 38914107-ea0b-4387-947c-c599c9d8c65a
- date added to LUP
- 2025-01-23 14:56:15
- date last changed
- 2025-04-25 03:00:03
@article{38914107-ea0b-4387-947c-c599c9d8c65a,
abstract = {{Self-injury is associated with significant psychological distress and functional impairments, including difficulties with self-care. However, <br/>little is known about how individuals engaging in self-injury perceive and manage self-care in their daily lives. This study aimed to explore <br/>the lived experiences of self-care among individuals receiving psychiatric treatment for self-injury and to identify factors that support <br/>or hinder self-care capacity. Twelve participants were recruited <br/>from a psychiatric outpatient clinic and semi-structured interviews <br/>were conducted focusing on participants’ perceptions of self-care, <br/>its relationship with self-injury, and factors influencing self-care. <br/>Reflexive thematic analysis was conducted to identify patterns and <br/>themes. The analysis revealed four themes: i) Why should I choose <br/>self-care?, highlighting motivational challenges rooted in low selfworth and the need for meaning; ii) Self-care is a difficult choice <br/>for me, reflecting how emotional variability, uncertainty about selfcare, and dichotomous thinking hinder decision-making; iii) Selfcare is beyond my control, emphasizing struggles with planning, <br/>routines, and the interplay of emotional states and self-care behaviors; and iv) Support can both help and hinder self-care, illustrating <br/>the critical yet complex role of external support. Findings highlight <br/>the multifaceted challenges individuals face in managing self-care <br/>and its intersection with self-injury. Clinical implications include <br/>the need for tailored, person-centered interventions that address <br/>barriers to self-care. Recognizing the dual role of self-injury—as <br/>both a barrier to and a risky form of self-care—may enhance treatment approaches for this population. <br/>}},
author = {{Bjärehed, Jonas and Grenner, Hanna and Pavlovic, Sara and Nilsson, Magnus}},
language = {{eng}},
number = {{S1}},
series = {{Qualitative research in Medicine and Healtcare}},
title = {{It is harder for me: A thematic analysis of lived experience of self-care, and its relationship with self-injurious behaviors in psychiatric patients}},
url = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.4081/qrmh.2024.12544}},
doi = {{10.4081/qrmh.2024.12544}},
volume = {{8}},
year = {{2024}},
}