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. 2015 Sep 28:9:35.
doi: 10.1186/s13034-015-0066-3. eCollection 2015.

Parents of youth who self-injure: a review of the literature and implications for mental health professionals

Alexis E Arbuthnott  1 , Stephen P Lewis  1
Affiliations

Parents of youth who self-injure: a review of the literature and implications for mental health professionals

Alexis E Arbuthnott et al. Child Adolesc Psychiatry Ment Health. .

Abstract

Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a common mental health concern among youth, and parents can be valuable supports for these youth. However, youth NSSI can have a significant impact on parents' wellbeing, which may in turn alter parents' ability to support the youth. To date, no single article has consolidated the research on parents of youth who self-injure. This review synthesizes the literature on parent factors implicated in youth NSSI risk, the role of parents in help-seeking and intervention for youth NSSI, and the impact of youth NSSI on parent wellbeing and parenting. Clinical implications for supporting parents as they support the youth are also discussed, and recommendations for future research are outlined.

Keywords: Mental health; Non-suicidal self-injury; Parents; Review; Self-harm; Youth.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Flow diagram of identified studies.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Visual summary of the role of parents in youth NSSI.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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