People who self-harm: rapid evidence review and survey of practitioner perspectives

Appendix 2: Study Characteristics

Bailey et al. (2019)

• Research Methodology: Mixed methods – statistical data gathered from medical records and narrative data through focus groups.
• Sample Size: N=285 for medical records, N=45 for focus groups
• · Population: Young people who present to primary care for self-harm and GP’s and practice nurses who support people who self-harm.

Bergen et al. (2023)

• Research Methodology: Qualitative – video-recorded psychosocial assessments and interviews
• Sample Size: N=46 (3 detailed cases presented)
• · Population: Patients who receive a psychosocial assessment following self-harm (Mean age=35.5).

Cohen (2019)

• Research Methodology: Qualitative – Semi-structured interviews and focus groups
• Sample Size: N=15 for interviews, N=17 for focus groups
• · Population: Eight individuals who frequently attend Accident and Emergency services for self-harm, 7 primary care mental health staff and 17 mental health professionals who work in secondary care.

Camm-Crosbie et al. (2019)

• Research Methodology: Quantitative – Online Survey
• Sample Size: N=200
• Population: Autistic adults (aged 18-67 years, M=38.9) who have accessed treatment for mental health problems, self-harm and suicidality for the first time.

Edwards-Bailey et al. (2023)

• Research Methodology: Qualitative – Semi-structured interviews
• Sample Size: N=16
• Population: University students aged 18-28 years (M=25.9) with experiences of self-harm during their studies in UK universities.

Geulayov et al. (2022)

• Research Methodology: Quantitative – Survey
• Sample Size: N=10,560
• Population: Secondary school students aged 12-18 years in England.

Griffiths et al. (2019)

• Research Methodology: Mixed methods – questionnaire, semi-structured interviews and focus groups
• Sample Size: N=95 for questionnaires, N=30 for semi-structured interviews, N=10 for focus groups
• Population: Participants include women in custody who self-harm, staff, and prison listeners (peer supporters).

Harris (2019)

• Research Methodology: Qualitative – Semi-structured interviews
• Sample Size: N=10
• Population: Adults who had experience of presenting to Accident and Emergency more than once for self-harm or a suicide attempt.

Hassett & Isbister (2017)

• Research Methodology: Qualitative – Semi-structured interviews using interpretative phenomenological analysis
• Sample Size: N=8
• Population: Young men (Mean age=16.75) currently receiving care from CAMHS for self-harm.

Holland et al. (2020)

• Research Methodology: Quantitative - Audio Computer-Assisted Self-interview (ACASI)
• Sample Size: N=126
• Population: Young people (Mean age=16.29) who self-harm, with and without experience of being looked after in care.

Hulin et al. (2024)

• Research Methodology: Qualitative – Online interviews
• Sample Size: N=23
• Population: Adults who have accessed support from voluntary, community and social enterprise sector organisations for self-harm.

Johnson et al. (2017)

• Research Methodology: Qualitative – Semi-structured interviews
• Sample Size: N=7
• Population: Young people (aged 14-16 years) living in residential or secure care who self-harm.

Long (2018)

• Research Methodology: Qualitative – Face-to-face interviews
• Sample Size: N=20
• Population: The sample included 10 counselling clients with a history of self-harm and 10 counsellors experienced in working in self-harm.

Manning et al. (2024)

• Research Methodology: Qualitative – a range of creative approaches were used including arts-based methods, nominal group technique, engagement workshops, evidence generated statements and stakeholder generates statements.
• Sample Size: N=96
• Population: A total of 96 stakeholders, 15 children and young people (who had previously been in care for self-harm or eating disorders), 8 parents and carers and 73 professionals took part in the study.

McAndrew & Warne (2014)

• Research Methodology: Qualitative – Interviews using interpretative phenomenological analysis
• Sample Size: N=7
• Population: Young people (aged 13-17 years) who had experience of self-harm and/or suicidal behaviours.

Mughal et al. (2021)

• Research Methodology: Qualitative – Semi-structured interviews
• Sample Size: N=13
• Population: Young people (aged 16-25 years) who sought help from general practice care for self-harm in England.

Nearchou et al. (2018)

• Research Methodology: Quantitative – Questionnaire
• Sample Size: N=722
• Population: High school students (aged 12-18 years, M=14.8).

O’Keeffe et al. (2023)

• Research Methodology: Qualitative – Semi-structured interviews
• Sample Size: N=32
• Population: Adults presenting to A&E following a self-harm/suicidal crisis.

Owens et al. (2016)

• Research Methodology: Qualitative – secondary analysis of an online discussion forum
• Sample Size: N=31
• Population: Young people (aged 16-25) with experience of self-harm.

Quinlivan et al. (2021)

• Research Methodology: Qualitative – Free-text response open-ended survey data
• Sample Size: N=102
• Population: Eighty-eight patients (aged 18-75 years) who received psychosocial assessments following presentations to hospital after self-harm, and 14 carers (aged 41-73 years).

Quinlivan et al. (2022)

• Research Methodology: Qualitative – Free-text response open-ended survey data
• Sample Size: N=102
• Population: Eighty-eight patients who self-harm and 14 carers (aged over 18 years) from 16 mental health trusts and community organisations in the United Kingdom, and from social media.

Quinlivan et al. (2023)

• Research Methodology: Qualitative – Online survey with open, closed and free-text options without word limits
• Sample Size: N=151
• Population: This study included 128 patients with experience of self-harm and 23 carers aged 18 years or over.

Sass et al. (2022)

• Research Methodology: Qualitative – Semi-structured telephone and email interviews
• Sample Size: N=14
• Population: Adults living in England, actively receiving or attempting to engage in support as a consequence of self-harm during the first Covid-19 lockdown.

Samaritans (2020)

• Research Methodology: Mixed methods – Online surveys, caller data and stakeholder insight sessions
• Sample Size: N=900 for UK and ROI survey, N=250 caller data and survey, N=1,000 for Scotland survey.
• Population: Adults from the UK and ROI with lived experience of self-harm, Samaritans volunteers and stakeholders.

Tickell et al. (2024)

• Research Methodology: Qualitative – Semi-structured interviews
• Sample Size: N=12
• Population: University students who had self-harmed during their tenure.

Troya et al. (2019)

• Research Methodology: Qualitative – Semi-structured interviews
• Sample Size: N=16
• Population: Older adults who access primary care for self-harm and support workers who work with older adults who self-harm.

Wadman et al. (2018)

• Research Methodology: Qualitative – Interviews using interpretative phenomenological analysis
• Sample Size: N=14
• Population: Adolescent females (aged 13-18 years) who had self-harmed within the last 6 months.