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Some social contexts of self-destructive behavior

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Abstract

This study investigated the social context of self-injurious behavior in autistic, schizophrenic, and mentally retarded children residing in a state hospital. Social interactions between subjects and staff were recorded along with subjects' self-destructive behavior. The results showed a substantial increase in selfdestructive behavior following the staff's presentation of demands, denials, and punishments in 19 of the 20 subjects. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that self-injurious behavior is a social behavior, which is determined by persons in the environment. In addition, the self-destructive behavior of one subject may have been largely selfstimulatory in nature.

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Reference note

  1. Edelson, S. M.Implications of sensory feedback in self-injurious behavior. Submitted for publication, 1983.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of California, Los Angeles

    Stephen M. Edelson, Mitchell T. Taubman & O. Ivar Lovaas

Authors
  1. Stephen M. Edelson
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  2. Mitchell T. Taubman
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  3. O. Ivar Lovaas
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Additional information

The preparation of this article was supported by grants from USPHS MH32803 and NIMH MH11440. The authors wish to express their appreciation to Elsie Yarbrough, Teresa Poole, David Gillerman, Mark Hanson, and Janet Klaner for their assistance in conducting the study and preparing the article.

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Edelson, S.M., Taubman, M.T. & Lovaas, O.I. Some social contexts of self-destructive behavior. J Abnorm Child Psychol 11, 299–311 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00912093

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00912093

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