Expressed Emotion, Self-Compassion, and adolescent self-harm
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Are caregiver and adolescent -rated expressed emotion associated with adolescent self-harm and risk-taking behaviours, and are these relationship moderated by adolescent self-compassion?
IRAS ID
317816
Contact name
Jessica Crooks
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
The University of Edinburgh
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 4 months, 29 days
Research summary
Self-harm and risk-taking, whilst distinct concepts, are considered by some theorists to be interrelated behaviours. In adolescent populations where self-harm is common and risk-taking an expected development, it may be important for clinicians to understand why adolescents may engage in these behaviours. Expressed Emotion (EE), a measure of family environment, may be important in the development of self-harm, but has not been established for risk-taking. Evidence also indicates that self-compassion may be protective against poor psychological outcomes and poor coping mechanisms. The current project aims to explore whether caregiver and adolescent EE ratings can predict adolescent self-harm and risk-taking, and whether adolescent self-compassion may moderate these relationships. The research will add to the current literature as well as indicate possible areas for clinical intervention.
Recruitment will be within NHS Dumfries and Galloway Child Psychology and CAMHS, and NHS Lothian CAMHS. Caregiver-adolescent pairs, where the adolescent is an active case would be eligible for participation. Both caregiver and adolescent would need to be able to provide informed consent, as well as having sufficient English. Adolescents will be aged between 12-18 years, and up to 85 years for the primary caregiver. The adolescent must reside with the chosen caregiver for at least 4 days per week. Diagnoses of Intellectual Disability, severe neurodevelopmental disorders, or active psychoses in either participant would make the pair ineligible.
Allocated clinicians will be asked to screen their caseloads and then approach eligible potential participants. If willing, the caregivers and adolescents will be directed to the online study. They will both complete consent forms and provide demographic information. The caregiver will complete their section first (one item), before the adolescent completes theirs (five items). Participants will then be provided with a debrief, contact details, and support information. We anticipate this process to take around 70 minutes in total.
REC name
West of Scotland REC 5
REC reference
23/WS/0040
Date of REC Opinion
20 Mar 2023
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion