Why do men self-harm? A literature review

This critical review developed and analysed two key strands. One strand examined the reasons why men self-harm; the other examined effective ways to educate staff about self-harm. These strands were interweaved to develop an in-depth and informative review to help educate and inform staff who work with and support men who self-harm. A systematic search strategy was conducted to find primary research articles for analysis and evaluation. Three key themes emerged: interpersonal relationships; attitudes and educating staff. This review recommends that staff should be encouraged to change their behaviour and view themselves and their relationships differently. This can have a positive impact on developing and maintaining therapeutic relationships.