Citation

Deiter PJ, Nicholls SS, Pearlman LA. J. Clin. Psychol. (Hoboken) 2000; 56(9): 1173-1191.

Affiliation

Adult and Adolescent Psychological Services LLC, East Wing, Glastonbury, CT 06033, USA. aapsych@aol.com

Copyright

(Copyright © 2000, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1002/1097-4679(200009)56:9<1173::AID-JCLP5>3.0.CO;2-P

PMID

10987690

Abstract

This article reports findings of a study on self-injury, childhood abuse, and self capacities that supports a theory for understanding and assisting self-injuring individuals in crisis. In the study, 233 adults from partial hospital settings and an outpatient clinic answered questions concerning self-injury, abuse history, and three self capacities (the ability to tolerate strong affect, the ability to maintain a sense of self-worth, and the ability to maintain a sense of connection to others). More than 60% reported childhood abuse. More than half reported self-injury. Individuals with a history of self-injury showed greater impairment of self capacities than individuals who did not report self-injury. Individuals with a history of childhood abuse showed greater impairment than did individuals who did not report childhood abuse. Greatest impairment was associated with both self-injury and abuse. Implications of the results are explored and the theory for assisting self-injuring individuals in crisis is presented.

Language: en