The impact of ambivalence on recovery from non-suicidal self-injury: considerations for health professionals
Purpose: Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a growing public health concern. Continued NSSI is often associated with negative outcomes, yet the behaviour usually serves a purpose for individuals who self-injure (e.g. emotional relief). As such, individuals who self-injure often experience ambivalenc...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Journal Article |
| Published: |
2021
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| Online Access: | http://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/1173043 http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/93717 |
| _version_ | 1848765772351930368 |
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| author | Gray, Nicole Hasking, Penelope Boyes, Mark |
| author_facet | Gray, Nicole Hasking, Penelope Boyes, Mark |
| author_sort | Gray, Nicole |
| building | Curtin Institutional Repository |
| collection | Online Access |
| description | Purpose: Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a growing public health concern. Continued NSSI is often associated with negative outcomes, yet the behaviour usually serves a purpose for individuals who self-injure (e.g. emotional relief). As such, individuals who self-injure often experience ambivalence about the behaviour. The purpose of this paper is to highlight the importance of recognising ambivalence as a natural and expected part of the recovery process. Design/methodology/approach: This paper draws on literature regarding NSSI recovery, ambivalence towards stopping the behaviour and challenges for both clients and health professionals. Findings: This paper argues that ambivalence towards self-injury can be challenging for both clients and health professionals. Clients may feel shame and sense of failure if they experience a setback; health professionals may experience frustration towards clients who continue to self-injure despite treatment. Originality/value: Validation of the clients’ experience can have significant positive outcomes in treatment and help-seeking behaviours. Acknowledgement of client ambivalence during the recovery process will serve to validate clients’ experience and facilitate rapport. Health professionals who accept ambivalence as a natural part of the recovery process may experience less frustration with clients who continue to self-injure. |
| first_indexed | 2025-11-14T11:40:34Z |
| format | Journal Article |
| id | curtin-20.500.11937-93717 |
| institution | Curtin University Malaysia |
| institution_category | Local University |
| last_indexed | 2025-11-14T11:40:34Z |
| publishDate | 2021 |
| recordtype | eprints |
| repository_type | Digital Repository |
| spelling | curtin-20.500.11937-937172023-11-21T08:37:11Z The impact of ambivalence on recovery from non-suicidal self-injury: considerations for health professionals Gray, Nicole Hasking, Penelope Boyes, Mark Purpose: Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a growing public health concern. Continued NSSI is often associated with negative outcomes, yet the behaviour usually serves a purpose for individuals who self-injure (e.g. emotional relief). As such, individuals who self-injure often experience ambivalence about the behaviour. The purpose of this paper is to highlight the importance of recognising ambivalence as a natural and expected part of the recovery process. Design/methodology/approach: This paper draws on literature regarding NSSI recovery, ambivalence towards stopping the behaviour and challenges for both clients and health professionals. Findings: This paper argues that ambivalence towards self-injury can be challenging for both clients and health professionals. Clients may feel shame and sense of failure if they experience a setback; health professionals may experience frustration towards clients who continue to self-injure despite treatment. Originality/value: Validation of the clients’ experience can have significant positive outcomes in treatment and help-seeking behaviours. Acknowledgement of client ambivalence during the recovery process will serve to validate clients’ experience and facilitate rapport. Health professionals who accept ambivalence as a natural part of the recovery process may experience less frustration with clients who continue to self-injure. 2021 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/93717 10.1108/JPMH-07-2020-0093 http://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/1173043 fulltext |
| spellingShingle | Gray, Nicole Hasking, Penelope Boyes, Mark The impact of ambivalence on recovery from non-suicidal self-injury: considerations for health professionals |
| title | The impact of ambivalence on recovery from non-suicidal self-injury: considerations for health professionals |
| title_full | The impact of ambivalence on recovery from non-suicidal self-injury: considerations for health professionals |
| title_fullStr | The impact of ambivalence on recovery from non-suicidal self-injury: considerations for health professionals |
| title_full_unstemmed | The impact of ambivalence on recovery from non-suicidal self-injury: considerations for health professionals |
| title_short | The impact of ambivalence on recovery from non-suicidal self-injury: considerations for health professionals |
| title_sort | impact of ambivalence on recovery from non-suicidal self-injury: considerations for health professionals |
| url | http://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/1173043 http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/93717 |