Cultivating positive emotions : a useful adjunct when working with people who self-harm?

Morris, Charlotte and Simpson, Jane and Sampson, Mark and Beesley, Frank (2014) Cultivating positive emotions : a useful adjunct when working with people who self-harm? Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, 21 (4). pp. 352-362. ISSN 1063-3995

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Abstract

This narrative review draws upon a broad range of literature, including theory and empirical research, to argue that positive emotions are a useful adjunct to therapy when working with individuals who self-harm. The review highlights how self-harm is often employed as a method of emotion regulation and may be both negatively and positively reinforced. It is suggested that individuals who self-harm have potential difficulty in experiencing positive and negative emotions. The compatibility of an emotion focused approach to therapy for individuals who self-harm is therefore deemed an appropriate one. However, current therapeutic models predominantly focus on unpleasant or negative emotions and largely tend to neglect positive emotions, such as happiness. Broaden and build theory indicates that positive emotions can reduce the effects of negative emotions and aid recovery from intolerable negative emotions that may underpin self-harming behaviours. Therefore, the incorporation of positive emotions into therapy is likely to be helpful. In addition, if cultivated over time, positive emotions can build resilience that may enable individuals to cope better with events that precipitate self-injurious behaviours. The review emphasizes how positive emotions represent a valuable addition to therapeutic work but also highlights that the negatively valenced and painful emotions often experienced by those who self-injure must still be addressed.

Item Type:
Journal Article
Journal or Publication Title:
Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy
Uncontrolled Keywords:
/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/3200/3203
Subjects:
?? positive emotionself-harmreviewclinical psychology ??
ID Code:
61840
Deposited By:
Deposited On:
22 Jan 2013 14:40
Refereed?:
Yes
Published?:
Published
Last Modified:
28 Nov 2023 11:17