title: How do researchers define self-injurious behavior?
abstract: Self-injurious behavior is commonly observed among persons with intellectual disabilities. However, a second parallel use of this term is used in the general mental health field for self-mutilation. The authors describe these two disorders and how they differ. Characteristics of what we refer to as repetitive self-injurious behavior among persons with intellectual disabilities and risk factors for these behaviors are discussed. We also describe different assessment/testing methods which aid in defining this phenomenon. The implications of these data for research and clinical practice are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA. johnmatson@aol.com
authors.forename: Johnny L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Matson
authors.forename: Nicole C
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Turygin
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D012307:Risk Factors; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology*