A6 6..6

Oldershaw et al (pp. 140–144) conducted a qualitative study to obtain parental perspectives on adolescent self-harm. Using an interpretative phenomenological approach, they identified four key themes relating to: the process of discovery of the behaviour; making sense of the behaviour; the psychological impact of selfharm on parents; and the effect of adolescent self-harm on parenting and family. The authors conclude that teachers and primary healthcare providers need to be aware of the needs of parents of adolescents who self-harm, and should consider the benefits to parents of reducing the time from discovery to referral. Brezo et al (pp. 134–139) prospectively followed a school-based cohort to examine correlates and moderators of suicide attempts among young adults with a history of childhood abuse. Individuals abused by an immediate family member were at increased risk, as were those exposed to repeated abuse. The authors also found evidence of differences in the level of risk associated with the type of abuse (physical v. sexual v. both) and of gender-based heterogeneity.