Evaluating the effectiveness of personalised self-soothe boxes on distress levels in an acute adult inpatient mental health setting

Acute inpatient mental health populations display high levels of distress, characterised by ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences), emotion regulation difficulties, impulsivity and self-harm. Self-soothing, a skill underpinned by Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), is the ability to self-regulate. Self-soothe boxes, containing personalised items to promote self-soothing such as distress management techniques, tangible objects and meaningful items, are effective in reducing distress. To date, research on the use of self-soothe boxes has produced promising results. However, this focuses mostly on CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) and outpatient populations. The current paper outlines a service evaluation guided by the work of Fenton et al. (2023) that aimed to explore the effectiveness of personalised self-soothe boxes in reducing distress across two acute adult inpatient mental health wards. Seven participants developed a personalised self-soothe box, consisting of distraction techniques, sensory items, seeking positives, relaxation and mindfulness activities and coping skills handouts. Participants were encouraged to use this during instances of distress and complete a corresponding questionnaire to reflect on their experiences. Quantitative data was analysed using descriptive statistics. Results revealed that all participants reported a reduction in distress after use and rated sensory items most favourably as a current and future self-soothing strategy. Qualitative data was analysed using Thematic Analysis, with the themes indicating that self-soothing promotes cognitive restructuring and induces a positive change in emotional state. The results of this service evaluation produce evidence and guidance for using personalised self-soothe boxes as a proactive strategy to reduce distress in acute adult inpatient mental health settings, to promote Positive Behavioural Support and reduce restrictive practices.