The functions of self-mutilation

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry and Clinical Psychology
• Behavioral Sciences

Background:

• Pathological self-mutilating behavior has been studied for over 65 years.
• Existing literature suggests various functions for self-mutilation, but lacks integration.
• A comprehensive understanding of its multifaceted nature is needed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and integrate existing literature on the multiple functions of pathological self-mutilation.
• To organize the discussion of self-mutilation functions using six distinct models.
• To explore treatment implications based on a functional understanding of self-mutilation.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of empirical and theoretical literature on self-mutilation.
• Extraction and categorization of six functional models: environmental, antisuicide, sexual, affect regulation, dissociation, and boundaries.
• Analysis of contextual information including definition, prevalence, phenomenology, patient characteristics, associated diagnoses, and symptoms.

Main Results:

• Self-mutilation is an overdetermined behavior serving multiple functions simultaneously.
• Six key functional models provide a framework for understanding the complexity of self-mutilation.
• The review integrates diverse theoretical perspectives on the behavior's purpose.

Conclusions:

• Understanding the multiple functions of self-mutilation is crucial for effective clinical intervention.
• The integrated functional models offer a more nuanced perspective than single-function explanations.
• Further research and clinical practice should consider the overdetermined nature of self-mutilation.