Families of young people who self-harm: A mixed-methods systematic review of their experiences and needs

Background: Self-harm in young people is a pressing public health issue, with family support playing a crucial role in the young person’s prognosis. Concurrently, the impact extends to families themselves, who must navigate caregiving responsibilities while also requiring support. Understanding these experiences is key to providing more effective assistance in their caregiving roles. Aim: This mixed-methods systematic review aims to investigate the experiences, barriers, and needs of families of young people who self-harm. Method: Following PRISMA guidelines, a search was conducted across PsycINFO, PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases in July 2024 and April 2025. A total of 31 studies were included in the review, and quality was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. A narrative synthesis was employed for the quantitative data, while qualitative data were analysed using thematic synthesis. Results: The quantitative findings revealed two themes: (1) the repercussions of self-harm in the family, and (2) family support needs. Qualitative analysis identified four themes: (1) parents’ emotional and psychological impact; (2) impact on parenting and bond with young person; (3) disruption in wider family dynamics; and (4) barriers to and pathways for support. Conclusion: The review discusses the implications of these findings, offering recommendations for future research and improvements in family support services to alleviate caregiver burden and foster supportive environments for recovery.