Self-Mutilation

Definitions, Descriptions, and Names for Self-Injurious Behavior

Ross and Heathá(2002) stated that the definition of self-mutilation (SM) is a difficult task and this has led to problems with its study. There are no agreed upon definitions or descriptions of SM and terminology varies. The term SM is used interchangeably as self-injurious behavior and it is also called self-wounding and parasuicide. Terms such as self-harm and SM have been used to describe adolescents that have attempted suicide, those who have gone to the emergency rooms after self-injuring, and those who have hurt themselves deliberately with no intend of suicide. Distinction

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ppropriate and culturally inappropriate forms. Kress (2003) reported that when working with the SIB patient, contextual, cultural, and gender issues must be considered. Behaviors must be considered within social context since they may not constitute self-injury in particular cultures. For example self-injury is found in the Bible, with self-cutting practices being religious acts. Social norms must be considered as well as individual intentions, psychological problems, and injury effects. Piercing the skin may be a cultural ritual such as is found in Western culture for the wearing of earrings. In a different culture, this may be part of an initiation rite. Gender differences show that head banging is more common in boys and men with a three to one ratio and self-biting is more common in girls and women. Females are more likely to participate in impulsive self-injury in some studies but other researchers have found no gender differences regarding impulsive and compulsive SIB. Symptoms, Course, and Risks Symptoms and Course of Self-Injurious Behavior MacLean and Symonsá(2002) reported on self-injurious behavior in infancy and young childhood.á SIB in infants and young children includes a focus on developmental aspec
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Some common words found in the essay are:
Zila Kiselicaá2001, Ross Heath, Nock Prinstein, Desirability Scale, Ross Heathá2002, Impulsive SIB, Hopelessness Scale, Muehlenkamp Gutierrezá2004, Conrad Roemer, Self-Injurious Behavior, self-injurious behavior, suicide attempts, kress 2003, personality disorder, self-injurious behaviors, borderline personality, borderline personality disorder, american journal, nock prinstein, suicidal ideation, authors concluded, nock prinstein 2004, gender differences found, suicide attempts nonsuicidal, ross heath 2003,
Approximate Word count = 8556
Approximate Pages = 34 (250 words per page)

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