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Classification of injuries observed in functional classes of self‐injurious behaviour
Author(s) -
Rooker G. W.,
Hausman N. L.,
Fisher A. B.,
Gregory M. K.,
Lawell J. L.,
Hagopian L. P.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
journal of intellectual disability research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.941
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1365-2788
pISSN - 0964-2633
DOI - 10.1111/jir.12535
Subject(s) - medicine , medical record , injury prevention , psychology , clinical psychology , physical therapy , poison control , surgery , medical emergency
Background Limited research has examined how the functions of self‐injurious behaviour (SIB) relate to the production of injuries and the location, type or severity of those injuries. Methods Clinical and medical records were coded for 64 individuals hospitalised for SIB. When injuries were present, the physical properties of SIB and injuries were assessed across groups of individuals with automatically and socially maintained SIB. Results Injuries were observed for 35 of the individuals who engaged in SIB. Individuals who engaged in a single form of SIB were more likely to have injuries ( P < .05). Individuals with SIB maintained by automatic reinforcement had significantly more severe injuries to the head than those in the social group ( q < .05, P = .0132, H = 12.54). Conclusion Although results are preliminary, the results provide evidence that the function of SIB may influence the severity and location of injuries produced.