JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Self-harm among children and young people (CYP) is a major public health concern and is associated with increased risk of suicide and ongoing mental health difficulties. Parents frequently play a central role in supporting a young person who self-harms, yet many report experiencing intense emotional distress, uncertainty, and isolation. Despite this, few interventions have been developed specifically to support parents’ own wellbeing. Existing interventions typically involve parents as part of treatments targeting the young person rather than addressing parents’ emotional needs directly.

Objective:

This study aimed to develop a digital intervention designed to support the wellbeing of parents of CYP who self-harm using a Person-Based Approach (PBA).

Methods:

Intervention development followed the stages of the Person-Based Approach. Evidence gathering included using an existing systematic review of parents’ experiences and conducting a novel a systematic review of interventions containing components aimed at improving parental wellbeing in the context of youth self-harm. Qualitative data were collected through interviews, focus groups, and co-design workshops with parents, young people, clinicians, and third-sector professionals to understand user needs and preferences. These findings informed the development of guiding principles and a theory of change. Intervention content was then developed iteratively with input from a parent advisory group and refined through early user feedback.

Results:

The systematic review identified few interventions that explicitly targeted parental wellbeing, with substantial variation in content, delivery, and evaluation. Qualitative findings highlighted parents’ needs for support in managing emotional distress, understanding self-harm, responding to their child, and reducing isolation. These insights informed the development of a modular digital intervention including psychoeducation, strategies for managing parental distress, communication guidance, and reflective activities to support wellbeing. Early feedback from parents suggested that the intervention content was acceptable and aligned with their experiences and support needs.

Conclusions:

This study describes the development of a digital intervention to support the wellbeing of parents of CYP who self-harm. Grounded in systematic review evidence, qualitative research, and user input, the intervention addresses an important gap in available support for families affected by youth self-harm.