title: Predictors of Self-Injurious Behavior and Self-Restraint in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Towards a Hypothesis of Impaired Behavioral Control.
abstract: Self-injury is common in autism spectrum disorder (ASD); however few studies have investigated correlates of self-injury or the putative associations with self-restraint. Questionnaire data on self-injury, self-restraint, health conditions, overactivity/impulsivity and repetitive/restricted behavior were collected on 208 children and 216 adults with ASD (mean age = 24.10, range 6-61). Self-injury and self-restraint were frequent and significantly associated in both children (45.7% and 40.9%, p < 0.001) and adults (49.1, and 42.6%, p < 0.001). Severe self-injury was predicted by lower ability, health conditions and overactivity/impulsivity in children (p < 0.001) and repetitive/restricted behavior and overactivity/impulsivity in adults (p < 0.001). These data provide preliminary support for a developmental model of self-injury and self-restraint in which painful health conditions and compromised behavioral control influence the presence and trajectory of self-injury in ASD.
authors.affiliation: Cerebra Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, B15 2TT, UK. c.r.richards@bham.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Richards
authors.affiliation: Cerebra Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, B15 2TT, UK.|Forward Thinking Birmingham Learning Disability Team, Oaklands Centre, Raddlebarn Road, Selly Oak, B29 6JB, UK.
authors.forename: Louise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Davies
authors.affiliation: Cerebra Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, B15 2TT, UK.
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Oliver
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000067877:Autism Spectrum Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007175:Impulsive Behavior; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D000068356:Self-Control / Q000523:psychology*; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D013239:Stereotyped Behavior; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Autism spectrum disorder; Impulsivity; Pain; Prevalence; Self-injury; Self-restraint