Functional analysis of self-injurious behavior and its relation to self-restraint

J Appl Behav Anal. 2005 Winter;38(4):537-42. doi: 10.1901/jaba.2005.12-05.

Abstract

Some individuals who engage in self-injurious behavior (SIB) also exhibit self-restraint. In the present study, a series of three functional analyses were conducted to determine the variables that maintained a participant's SIB, one without restraint items available, one with a preferred and effective form of self-restraint (an airplane pillow) available noncontingently, and one with this item delivered contingent on SIB. Results suggested that SIB was reinforced by escape and by access to self-restraint materials, self-restraint appeared to be maintained by automatic reinforcement, and continuous access to highly preferred restraint materials effectively suppressed SIB.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Child, Preschool
  • Escape Reaction
  • Extinction, Psychological
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Reinforcement, Psychology
  • Self Efficacy*
  • Self-Injurious Behavior / prevention & control*
  • Self-Injurious Behavior / psychology*
  • Social Control, Informal*