Self-mutilation and coping strategies in a college sample.
The goal of this study was to examine the use of specific coping strategies among self-mutilating college students. The self-mutilating group (n = 44) reported utilizing avoidance strategies more often than did a control group (n = 44) matched for general psychological distress but with no history of self-mutilation. In addition, female, but not male, self-mutilators endorsed using problem-solving and social support seeking strategies less often than nonmutilators. These findings suggest that coping strategies in general and avoidance-based strategies in particular may be important targets for the treatment of self-mutilative behaviors.
Andover
Margaret S
MS
Psychosocial Research Program, Butler Hospital and Brown Medical School, 345 Blackstone Road, Providence, RI 02906, USA. Margaret_Andover@brown.edu
Pepper
Carolyn M
CM
Gibb
Brandon E
BE
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010555:Personality Inventory; D012652:Self Mutilation / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology*; D014481:United States