Frustrated and Concerned: Understanding Antipathy Towards Clients Who Engage in Nonsuicidal Self-Injury in Australian Mental Health Practitioners.

BACKGROUND

Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) involves harm towards one's own body tissue without suicidal intent. Mental health workers' attitudes towards consumer NSSI may impact clinical care. This study aimed to explore factors associated with worker attitudes and antipathy towards NSSI.

METHOD

A quantitative survey including demographics, professional background, confidence regarding NSSI, Inventory of Statements about Self-Injury and Self-Harm Antipathy Scale was distributed to mental health workers in Australia. Two hundred and forty-five participants completed the survey, including 174 psychologists, 34 social workers, 23 counsellors and 14 youth workers, with 216 women and 29 men aged 24-70 years old, working in a range of health care settings.

RESULTS

Higher age was negatively correlated with exposure to and confidence working with NSSI. Participants in private and community services had the highest exposure, with exposure and training associated with higher confidence working with NSSI. Psychologists rated highest regarding antipathy to NSSI, followed by counsellors and social workers. Significant predictors of antipathy included professional background, level of experience, confidence in ability to manage the situation if a client needed immediate medical attention, the intrapersonal functions of affect regulation and self-punishment and the interpersonal function of toughness.

CONCLUSION

Findings suggest exposure to NSSI is prevalent across treatment settings. Differences exist between professions and people of different ages on exposure to, and confidence in working with NSSI. The results show predictors of antipathy are misconceptions about the functions of NSSI, professional background and confidence in working with NSSI. Further research is required to explore factors associated with professional orientation and antipathy to NSSI, alongside components of effective training.