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Psychological interventions in self-injurious behaviour. Working with people with a learning disability
1Clinical Psychology, Psychotherapy and Counselling Unit, Leeds CMH Trust.
The British Journal of Psychiatry : the Journal of Mental Science
|September 25, 1998
Summary
Self-injury in people with learning disabilities is a communicative act, often a response to adverse environments. An interdisciplinary approach is crucial for addressing its persistence.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Disability Studies
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Psychological interventions for self-injury in individuals with learning disabilities have evolved over three decades.
- Understanding the complexities of self-injurious behavior is critical.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the literature on psychological approaches to self-injury in people with learning disabilities.
- To present an ecological framework for understanding self-injury.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of major studies on self-injury in learning disabilities.
- Description of an ecological framework considering environmental, interpersonal, and intrapersonal factors.
- Inclusion of case examples to illustrate the framework.
Main Results:
- Self-injury is interpreted as a communicative and adaptive behavior.
- It is viewed as an individual's primary strategy for coping with negative environmental experiences such as abuse, neglect, or trauma.
Conclusions:
- Persistent self-injurious behavior necessitates a comprehensive, interdisciplinary approach.
- Addressing the multifaceted factors contributing to the development and maintenance of self-injury is essential.