Understanding vulnerability to self-harm in times of economic hardship and austerity: a qualitative study

BMJ Open - Tập 6 Số 2 - Trang e010131 - 2016
Maria Barnes1, D. Gunnell1, Rosemary Davies1, Keith Hawton2, Navneet Kapur3, John Potokar1, Jenny Donovan1
1School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
2Centre for Suicide Research, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
3Centre for Suicide Prevention, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK

Tóm tắt

ObjectiveSelf-harm and suicide increase in times of economic recession, but little is known about why people self-harm when in financial difficulty, and in what circumstances self-harm occurs. This study aimed to understand events and experiences leading to the episode of self-harm and to identify opportunities for prevention or mitigation of distress.SettingParticipants’ homes or university rooms.Participants19 people who had attended hospital following self-harm in two UK cities and who specifically cited job loss, economic hardship or the impact of austerity measures as a causal or contributory factor.Primary and secondary outcome measuresSemistructured, in-depth interviews. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed and analysed cross-sectionally and as case studies.ResultsStudy participants described experiences of severe economic hardship; being unable to find employment or losing jobs, debt, housing problems and benefit sanctions. In many cases problems accumulated and felt unresolvable. For others an event, such as a call from a debt collector or benefit change triggered the self-harm. Participants also reported other current or past difficulties, including abuse, neglect, bullying, domestic violence, mental health problems, relationship difficulties, bereavements and low self-esteem. These contributed to their sense of despair and worthlessness and increased their vulnerability to self-harm. Participants struggled to gain the practical help they felt they needed for their economic difficulties or therapeutic support that might have helped with their other co-existing or historically damaging experiences.ConclusionsEconomic hardships resulting from the recession and austerity measures accumulated or acted as a ‘final straw’ to trigger self-harm, often in the context of co-existing or historically damaging life-experiences. Interventions to mitigate these effects should include providing practical advice about economic issues before difficulties become insurmountable and providing appropriate psychosocial support for vulnerable individuals.

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BMJ Open

Tập 6 Số 2

e010131

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