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Self-injurious Behavior pp 21–56Cite as

The Incidence and Prevalence of Self-injurious Behavior

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Part of the book series: Disorders of Human Learning, Behavior, and Communication ((HUMAN LEARNING))

Abstract

Of the events in the life of professionals working in the field of developmental disabilities, perhaps the most disturbing involve witnessing persons with handicaps inflicting injuries to themselves, through the display of such behaviors as self-biting and head-banging. For these professionals, and for researchers interested in the study of behavior problems, several important questions arise in regard to the extent of this phenomenon. At the most basic level is the question. How widespread is the problem of self-injurious behavior within developmentally delayed and other populations? Second, is the display of self-injurious behavior related to other characteristics? These questions are important for both theoretical and practical reasons. For example, an understanding of the relative rates of self-injury in persons who are not handicapped versus those who are mentally retarded is important information in our attempt to determine the extent to which self-injurious behavior may be a developmental phenomenon (Baumeister & Rollings, 1976). From a practical standpoint, statements regarding prevalence rates among various populations can be significant elements in justification for research into the understanding and treatment of self-injurious behavior.

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Authors
  1. Willard L. Johnson
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  2. Robert M. Day
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Psychological and Educational Resource Associates, 40 Bronson Way, 01742, Concord, MA, USA

    James K. Luiselli Ed.D.

  2. Department of Psychology, Louisiana State University, 70803, Baton Rouge, LA, USA

    Johnny L. Matson Ph.D.

  3. Department of Psychiatry, Medical College of Virginia, 23298, Richmond, VA, USA

    Nirbhay N. Singh Ph.D.

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© 1992 Springer-Verlag New York, Inc.

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Johnson, W.L., Day, R.M. (1992). The Incidence and Prevalence of Self-injurious Behavior. In: Luiselli, J.K., Matson, J.L., Singh, N.N. (eds) Self-injurious Behavior. Disorders of Human Learning, Behavior, and Communication. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-9130-2_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-9130-2_2

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4613-9132-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4613-9130-2

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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