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The five self-harm behavior groupings measure : empirical and thematic data from a novel comprehensive self-harm assessment

Liljedahl, Sophie I LU ; Daukantaitė, Daiva LU ; Kleindienst, Nikolaus ; Wångby-Lundh, Margit LU and Westling, Sofie LU orcid (2023) In Frontiers in Psychiatry 14. p.1147206-1147206
Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The Five Self-Harm Behavior Groupings Measure (5S-HM) is a novel assessment that evaluates behaviours which may go undetected by existing measures. Self-harm is formulated across directness and lethality spectra, including under-studied behaviors such as indirect self-harm, harmful self-neglect and sexual self-harm. Aims of the study were to: (1) empirically evaluate the 5S-HM; (2) to determine whether the 5S-HM generates relevant new information with respect to the forms and functions given by participants for self-harm within a clinical sample; (3) to test the utility and novel contributions of the Unified Model of Self-Harm and the 5S-HM by extension.

METHODS: Data were collected from
N = 199 individuals... (More)

INTRODUCTION: The Five Self-Harm Behavior Groupings Measure (5S-HM) is a novel assessment that evaluates behaviours which may go undetected by existing measures. Self-harm is formulated across directness and lethality spectra, including under-studied behaviors such as indirect self-harm, harmful self-neglect and sexual self-harm. Aims of the study were to: (1) empirically evaluate the 5S-HM; (2) to determine whether the 5S-HM generates relevant new information with respect to the forms and functions given by participants for self-harm within a clinical sample; (3) to test the utility and novel contributions of the Unified Model of Self-Harm and the 5S-HM by extension.

METHODS: Data were collected from
N = 199 individuals (M

age
= 29.98, SD = 8.41, 86.4% female), receiving specialized evidence-based treatments for self-harm, borderline personality disorder or eating disorders. Construct validity was determined via Spearman correlations, and internal consistency was established from Cronbach's alpha. Inductive thematic analysis was used to analyze and interpret qualitative data on reasons, forms and functions participants reported in relation to self-harm following Braun and Clarke's analytic guidelines. Thematic mapping was used to summarize qualitative data.

RESULTS: Test-retest reliability on a subsample of
n = 24, tested 14 days after Time 1 was supported by a good intraclass correlation (0.68). Internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.75) was acceptable to good, as was construct validity comparing the 5S-HM total score to two validated self-harm measures (rho = 0.40,
p < 0.01; rho = 0.26,
p < 0.01). A thematic map depicting antecedents and consequences of self-harm over time suggests that self-harm is initiated by negative emotional states and self-intolerance. Novel findings in relation to sexual self-harm indicated that reasons for these behaviors were either to improve or worsen one's situation through being hurt by someone else.

DISCUSSION: The empirical analyses of the 5S-HM demonstrate that it is a robust measure for use in clinical and research settings. Thematic analyses proposed explanations for why self-harm behaviors are initiated and how they are reinforced over time. Sexual self-harm in particular requires further careful study.

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author
; ; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
Frontiers in Psychiatry
volume
14
pages
1147206 - 1147206
publisher
Frontiers Media S. A.
external identifiers
  • pmid:37215657
  • scopus:85159919413
ISSN
1664-0640
DOI
10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1147206
language
English
LU publication?
yes
additional info
Copyright © 2023 Liljedahl, Daukantaitė, Kleindienst, Wångby-Lundh and Westling.
id
5b66559f-e8ec-45e9-a383-16e286560e9a
date added to LUP
2023-05-28 07:33:22
date last changed
2024-12-15 23:00:48
@article{5b66559f-e8ec-45e9-a383-16e286560e9a,
  abstract     = {{<p>INTRODUCTION: The Five Self-Harm Behavior Groupings Measure (5S-HM) is a novel assessment that evaluates behaviours which may go undetected by existing measures. Self-harm is formulated across directness and lethality spectra, including under-studied behaviors such as indirect self-harm, harmful self-neglect and sexual self-harm. Aims of the study were to: (1) empirically evaluate the 5S-HM; (2) to determine whether the 5S-HM generates relevant new information with respect to the forms and functions given by participants for self-harm within a clinical sample; (3) to test the utility and novel contributions of the Unified Model of Self-Harm and the 5S-HM by extension.</p><p>METHODS: Data were collected from <br>
 N = 199 individuals (M<br>
 <br>
 age<br>
 = 29.98, SD = 8.41, 86.4% female), receiving specialized evidence-based treatments for self-harm, borderline personality disorder or eating disorders. Construct validity was determined via Spearman correlations, and internal consistency was established from Cronbach's alpha. Inductive thematic analysis was used to analyze and interpret qualitative data on reasons, forms and functions participants reported in relation to self-harm following Braun and Clarke's analytic guidelines. Thematic mapping was used to summarize qualitative data.<br>
 </p><p>RESULTS: Test-retest reliability on a subsample of <br>
 n = 24, tested 14 days after Time 1 was supported by a good intraclass correlation (0.68). Internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.75) was acceptable to good, as was construct validity comparing the 5S-HM total score to two validated self-harm measures (rho = 0.40,<br>
 p &lt; 0.01; rho = 0.26, <br>
 p &lt; 0.01). A thematic map depicting antecedents and consequences of self-harm over time suggests that self-harm is initiated by negative emotional states and self-intolerance. Novel findings in relation to sexual self-harm indicated that reasons for these behaviors were either to improve or worsen one's situation through being hurt by someone else.<br>
 </p><p>DISCUSSION: The empirical analyses of the 5S-HM demonstrate that it is a robust measure for use in clinical and research settings. Thematic analyses proposed explanations for why self-harm behaviors are initiated and how they are reinforced over time. Sexual self-harm in particular requires further careful study.</p>}},
  author       = {{Liljedahl, Sophie I and Daukantaitė, Daiva and Kleindienst, Nikolaus and Wångby-Lundh, Margit and Westling, Sofie}},
  issn         = {{1664-0640}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  pages        = {{1147206--1147206}},
  publisher    = {{Frontiers Media S. A.}},
  series       = {{Frontiers in Psychiatry}},
  title        = {{The five self-harm behavior groupings measure : empirical and thematic data from a novel comprehensive self-harm assessment}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1147206}},
  doi          = {{10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1147206}},
  volume       = {{14}},
  year         = {{2023}},
}