A systematic review and meta-ethnography exploring personal perspectives of recovery among those with lived experience of non-suicidal self-injury.

Background: Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a significant public health concern. Research and treatment interventions largely focus on stopping self-injury. People who self-injure do not necessarily equate recovery to cessation. Qualitative accounts allow greater understanding of personal recovery narratives. This study aimed to synthesise personal conceptualisations of NSSI recovery.
Methods: Participants had lived experience of NSSI and discussed their recovery. Papers not written in English or had a quantitative design were excluded. Four databases (PsycInfo, CINAHL, Medline and Web of Science) were systematically searched. The quality of each paper was assessed using the CASP quality assessment tool. Data were synthesised using a meta-ethnographic approach.
Results: Thirteen studies comprising 159 participants were included. Three overarching themes were developed. While ceasing NSSI was an important aspect of recovery for some, recovery was typically viewed more holistically, encompassing developments within the self and relationships. Recovery was regarded an ongoing non-linear journey. The personal and multifaceted nature of the recovery process emerged through a line of argument synthesis.
Conclusions: This was the first qualitative synthesis of personal conceptualisations of NSSI recovery. The findings highlighted the personal and multifaceted nature of NSSI recovery and supported person-centred models of self-injury recovery. Clinical implications include the importance of expanding self-injury recovery beyond cessation within research and clinical practice, and for collaborative and person-centred approaches to be embraced when supporting those who self-injure.
(© 2024 The Author(s). Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of The British Psychological Society.)