Adolescent Self-Mutilating Behaviors: Experiential Avoidance Coupled with Imitation? Page: 2
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self-mutilation literature yields several definitions for this behavior. Self-mutilation and similar
behaviors have been referred to as auto-aggression, deliberate self-harm, self-injurious
behaviors, delicate self-cutting, purposive accidents, self-poisoning, self-wounding, suicidal
gestures, andparasuicide, to name a few (Feldman, 1988; Skegg, 2005; Suyemoto, 1998).
However, there are notable differences in the specific behaviors that constitute each definition.
Skegg (2005) conceptualized self-harm on a continuum that included level of lethality
and amount of visible tissue damage, and ranged from deliberate recklessness on one end (e.g.,
risk-taking behaviors) to traditional methods of suicide on the other (e.g., shooting). Some
studies on self-harm incorporate this entire range into a single measure (Sansone, Wiederman, &
Sansone, 1998) whereas others define self-harm only as acts that yield visible injury (Gratz,
2001). Following the parameters outlined by Suyemoto (1998) and Pattison and Kahan (1983),
the definition of repetitive self-mutilation (RSM) in the current study involves the following
components: directness, level of social acceptability, suicidal intent, psychological state, degree
of damage, and number of episodes. These parameters were chosen because they are descriptive
of the behavior itself, and allow for clear discrimination among different self-mutilation
behaviors.
Direct vs. Indirect
RSM is defined here as a direct self-destructive behavior because it occurs within a short
period of time with some awareness of the visible effects (e.g., self-burning). In contrast, indirect
self-destructive behaviors occur over an extended period of time and without awareness or
regard for the long-term effects (e.g., alcohol abuse, risk-taking with cars). In the former, there is
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Howe-Martin, Laura S. Adolescent Self-Mutilating Behaviors: Experiential Avoidance Coupled with Imitation?, dissertation, August 2008; Denton, Texas. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc9087/m1/11/: accessed April 23, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; .