TY - JOUR
T1 - Prevalence and Risk-Markers of Self-Harm in Autistic Children and Adults
AU - Licence, Lucy
AU - Oliver, Chris
AU - Moss, Joanna
AU - Richards, Caroline
PY - 2019/10/26
Y1 - 2019/10/26
N2 - Self-harm is purportedly common in autistic individuals, but under-researched, particularly in younger samples and those without intellectual disability. This study aimed to describe prevalence, profile and correlates of self-harm in autistic individuals without impairments in adaptive functioning. Parents of autistic participants (n = 83) completed questionnaires regarding the presence/topography of self-harm, demographic characteristics, autism severity, age of diagnosis, affect, activity levels and repetitive behaviour. 24.10% of participants engaged in self-harm. Self‐harm was associated with significantly higher levels of impulsivity, over-activity, negative affect, compulsive behaviour and insistence on sameness. Low mood and overactivity/impulsivity predicted the presence of self-harm, with the model correctly classifying 82.9% of cases. Findings highlight a role for impaired behavioural inhibition and low mood in the aetiological mechanisms underpinning self-harm in autism.
AB - Self-harm is purportedly common in autistic individuals, but under-researched, particularly in younger samples and those without intellectual disability. This study aimed to describe prevalence, profile and correlates of self-harm in autistic individuals without impairments in adaptive functioning. Parents of autistic participants (n = 83) completed questionnaires regarding the presence/topography of self-harm, demographic characteristics, autism severity, age of diagnosis, affect, activity levels and repetitive behaviour. 24.10% of participants engaged in self-harm. Self‐harm was associated with significantly higher levels of impulsivity, over-activity, negative affect, compulsive behaviour and insistence on sameness. Low mood and overactivity/impulsivity predicted the presence of self-harm, with the model correctly classifying 82.9% of cases. Findings highlight a role for impaired behavioural inhibition and low mood in the aetiological mechanisms underpinning self-harm in autism.
KW - Autism
KW - Self-harm
KW - Prevalence
KW - Risk-marker
KW - Affect
KW - Impulsivity
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85074492519&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/s10803-019-04260-1
DO - 10.1007/s10803-019-04260-1
M3 - Article
C2 - 31655964
SN - 0162-3257
SP - 1
EP - 14
JO - Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
JF - Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
ER -