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The process of self-abusive behavior in adolescents
Abstract
Ten adolescent females were assessed in regard to level of object relations and degree of self-abusive behavior. Subjects were administered a structured clinical interview and the Bell Object Relations and Reality Testing Inventory. Two distinct groups were formed based on frequency and intensity of self-abusive behavior; severe self-abusive group and minor self-abusive group. Clear differences were found between the two groups. Severe self-abusing adolescents showed significantly impaired object relations, and described their motivation for this behavior as related to internal trauma associated with significant relationships. These subjects also provided information which led to seven criteria for acts of self-abuse. Minor self-abusing adolescents showed healthy object relations, their motivation for self-abuse appearing to be primarily related to peer influence. An attempt was made to define a temporal process of self-abusive behavior, although this remains less clear.
Subject Area
Clinical psychology
Recommended Citation
Hallett, Kristina Marie, "The process of self-abusive behavior in adolescents" (1993). Doctoral Dissertations Available from Proquest. AAI9329616.
https://scholarworks.umass.edu/dissertations/AAI9329616