This review of the literature concerning the topic of self mutilation addresses the following research areas relevant to this study: definitions, descriptions, and names for self-injurious behavior; classifications of categories for self injurious behavior; assessment and diagnosis; prevalence of self-injurious behaviors; culture and gender issues; symptoms, course, and risks; theories on causes of self-mutilation (biological, environmental, psychological, and antisuicidal theories); treatment approaches; implications to school administrator, teachers, and school psychologist; legal obligations to report self-injurious behaviors; and limitations of current and future research on self-injurious behavior. This review of the research is followed by a synthesis of the literature review.
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. Distinctions between these groups are important since these different behaviors may have different etiologies and require different diagnoses.
Nock and Prinstein (2004) reported that self-mutilative behavior (SMB) refers to an individual damaging their own body tissue in a deliberate fashion with no suicidal intent. This definition is part of a larger group of self-injurious behaviors that include actions that range from skin rubbing to the completion of suicide. Despite the high rates of SMB and associated ps...