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Skin‐Picking in Individuals with Prader‐Willi Syndrome: Prevalence, Functional Assessment, and its Comorbidity with Compulsive and Self‐Injurious Behaviours
Author(s) -
Didden Robert,
Korzilius Hubert,
Curfs Leopold M. G.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
journal of applied research in intellectual disabilities
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.056
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1468-3148
pISSN - 1360-2322
DOI - 10.1111/j.1468-3148.2007.00388.x
Subject(s) - clinical psychology , psychology , arousal , comorbidity , association (psychology) , psychiatry , medicine , psychotherapist , neuroscience
Background Individuals with Prader‐Willi syndrome (PWS) are at increased risk for mental health and behaviour problems, such as skin‐picking and compulsive behaviours. Prevalence and functional assessment of skin‐picking, and its association with compulsive behaviour and self‐injury, were investigated in a large group of individuals with PWS ( n = 119). Materials and Methods Data on demographic characteristics, skin‐picking and compulsive and self‐injurious behaviours were collected by questionnaires. Behavioural function of skin‐picking was assessed by administering the Questions About Behavioral Function scale. Results Skin‐picking was found in 86% of the sample, and correlated positively with compulsive behaviours. No associations were found between skin‐picking and other variables. Functional assessment suggest that in most cases (i.e. 70%) skin‐picking primarily had non‐social functions. Conclusions Skin‐picking and compulsive behaviours are common in PWS. In most cases, skin‐picking may be maintained by contingent arousal reduction. Controlled studies on behavioural treatment are lacking. Implications for treatment selection are discussed.