Adolescent Self-Mutilating Behaviors: Experiential Avoidance Coupled with Imitation? Page: 14
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and long sleeves has recently become popularized by young pop singers such as Avril Lavigne, it
has been observed as a way of covering scars among youth who engage in RSM. It is important
to note, however, that these particular influences have not been empirically studied.
Correlates of RSM
Childhood Abuse
Childhood sexual and physical abuse. Although childhood abuse was not specifically
evaluated in the current study, it is important to include a brief review of this literature when
discussing self-mutilation correlates. Childhood sexual and physical abuse are major risk factors
for the development of psychological problems later in life, including self-mutilation (see
Browne & Finkelhor, 1986, for a review; van der Kolk, Perry, & Herman, 1991). Although a
history of abuse does not exist in all cases of RSM, it has been well documented that childhood
sexual abuse, physical abuse, and neglect are common among individuals who self-mutilate
(Ghaziuddin, Tsai, Naylor, & Ghaziuddin, 1992; Mina & Gallop, 1998; Romans et al., 1995;
Zlotnick et al., 1996). In fact, research has indicated that a history of abuse is a risk factor for
later engaging in self-mutilating behaviors (van der Kolk, Perry, & Herman, 1991) and that this
appears to hold true even when level of suicidal ideation is taken into account (Langbehn &
Pfohl, 1993). However, the risk for self-mutilation may depend on several variables associated
with the abuse, including the duration of the abuse, relationship to the perpetrator, and the type
of physical or sexual assault (Turell & Armsworth, 2000).
Childhood neglect and early loss. Parental neglect is an understudied form of abuse that
has been characterized as exposure to probable or imminent harm, and/or can be seen in children
who fail to thrive due to a lack of attention to their basic needs. Neglectful family environments14
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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/m1/23/: accessed April 18, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; .