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The definition, taxonomy, epidemiology, and ecology of self-injurious behavior

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Abstract

The paper is a theoretical analysis of the evolution of the concepts related primarily to the definition and to the antecedents of self-injurious behavior (SIB). It was found that the definition of SIB as currently used contains surplus meanings unrelated to its scientific utility. At present, a restricted definition of SIB is not warranted because its basic parameters have not been studied adequately. Analysis of SIB taxonomies suggests two subclasses of SIB: social and nonsocial. Epidemiological studies of SIB suggest chronic and acute subsamples that differ in organicity, chronicity, and length of institutionalization. Ecological analysis suggests that a variety of antecedent conditions affect rates and topographies of SIB, e.g., ambient environmental conditions, background settings, situational demands, self-restraint, and type of daily routine activity. Implications were drawn for the organization of therapeutic environments, the study of covariation among collateral topographies, the dynamics of SIB responding, and sequential dependencies among SIB and related topographies.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of North Carolina, Greensboro, North Carolina, USA

    Stephen R. Schroeder & Johannes Rojahn

  2. Rhode Island Hospital, Rhode Island, USA

    James A. Mulick

Authors
  1. Stephen R. Schroeder
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  2. James A. Mulick
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  3. Johannes Rojahn
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Additional information

This research was supported by USPHS Grant Number HD-03110, MCH Project 916, NICHD Grant Number HD-10570, and NIEHS Grant Number ES-01104. We especially acknowledge DDSA H.I.P. Grant Number 51P2052 entitled, “Modifying Retardates' Self-Injurious Behavior” to Murdoch Center from 1974 to 1977, Stephen R. Schroeder, project director.

Now at the University of Marburg, Germany.

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Schroeder, S.R., Mulick, J.A. & Rojahn, J. The definition, taxonomy, epidemiology, and ecology of self-injurious behavior. J Autism Dev Disord 10, 417–432 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02414818

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