Self-harm by nurses and midwives: a study of hospital presentations

Journal article

Background:

Nursing professionals are an occupational group at increased risk of suicide, but little is known about self-harm in this population.

Aims:

To investigate the characteristics of nurses and midwives who present to hospital following self-harm.

Method:

We used data from the Oxford Monitoring System for Self-Harm to identify nurses and midwives who presented to the general hospital in Oxford during 2010–2020 following an episode of self-harm and received a psychosocial assessment.

Results:

During the eleven-year study period, 107 presentations of self-harm involving 81 nurses and midwives were identified. Self-poisoning was the most common self-harm method (71.6%), with antidepressants and paracetamol most frequently involved. Many had consumed alcohol before (43.8%) or during (25.3%) the self-harm act. Some individuals had high or very high suicide intent scores (22/70, 31.4%). Common problems preceding self-harm included problems with a partner (46.9%), psychiatric disorder (29.6%), and problems with employment (27.2%), family (24.7%), and alcohol (23.5%). A range of aftercare options were offered following presentation.

Limitations:

This study was limited to data from a single hospital.

Conclusion:

Prevention and management of self-harm within this occupational group requires preventative strategies and availability of interventions addressing the range of factors that may contribute to self-harm, especially relationship problems, psychiatric disorders, employment problems, and alcohol misuse.

Authors: Groves, S; Lascelles, K; Bale, E; Brand, F; Casey, D

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: Hogrefe
• Journal: Crisis: The Journal of Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention
• Volume: 45
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 128–135
• Publication date: 2024-02-18
• Acceptance date: 2022-11-02
• DOI: 10.1027/0227-5910/a000936
• EISSN: 2151-2396
• ISSN: 0227-5910
• Language: English
• Keywords: problems; self-harm; nurses; methods; aftercare