...self-injure. involves alternatives to self-injury. The authors provide various alternatives to self-injury and discuss matching the alternative to the function and type of SIB.

**********

The topic of self-injurious behavior (SIB) has been gaining widespread attention in the mainstream culture (Favazza, 1998) and professional literature (Zila & Kiselica, 2001). SIBs have been defined as all behaviors involving the deliberate infliction of direct physical harm to one's own body without the intent to die as a consequence of the behavior" (Simeon & Favazza, 2001, p. 1). Thus, SIB encompasses a wide range of behaviors, from skin picking, hair pulling, and cutting and burning to bone breaking and self-surgery (Favazza, 1987; Simeon & Favazza, 2001). Although the most severe cases of SIB can result in unexpected and unintentional death, SIB is not a suicide attempt. When an individual self-injures, there is no intent to die (Alderman, 1997; Crowe & Bunclark, 2000; Favazza & Conterio, 1989; Herpertz, 1995). Alderman explained this difference by stating that an act of self-injury is typically done in order to sustain life and to cope with pain or emotions, whereas suicide is an attempt to end life.

Research conducted on SIB has primarily focused on the prevalence rates; however, the majority of these studies have been conducted with psychiatric populations (prevalence typically around 40%) and the general population (1.4% to 6.5%; Kravitz, Rosenthal, Teplitz, Murphy, & Lesser, 1960; R. R. Ross & McKay, 1979; Simeon & Favazza, 2001). Very few studies have focused on prevalence rates in college populations. One study (Gratz, 2001) that did focus on SIB in a college population found that 35% reported a history of deliberate self-harm, with 15% reporting more than 10 incidents of self-injury in the past and 9% reporting more than 100 incidents of self-injury. Researchers are unsure of the reason for the higher rates of SIBs at the university level than in the general population. It is unclear if the higher rates are actual increases in the number of individuals self-harming at the college age, clients becoming more comfortable with disclosing, or clinicians more skilled at identifying SIBs. Regardless of the reason, the known rates of SIBs are increasing.

Although SIBs have been found to be increasing and are becoming more prevalent in the general and college populations, treatment methods have received mixed reviews. Various types of treatments and methods have been suggested for working with clients who self-injure (e.g., Graff & Mallin, 1967; Pipher, 1994; R. R. Ross & McKay, 1979; Yaryura-Tobias, Neziroglu, & Kaplan, 1995); however, no one treatment has been found to be the most effective. Zila and Kiselica (2001) reported that limited information on SIBs in the literature frequently hinders proper treatment and can ultimately lead to a counselor's frustration, repulsion, or fear of the behavior. However, regardless of the treatment method, SIB can increase in frequency and severity when a client begins to work on underlying causes of the behavior (Foxx, 1982, 2003). Thus, it might be helpful for a client to have an alternative to SIB while working through some of the core, emotionally difficult, concerns. Very little literature covers alternatives to SIB; however, alternatives for self-injury can be provided as a substitute to a client who is increasing the use of SIB due to working on difficult, emotional issues in counseling and who is unable or unwilling to minimize or distinguish his or her SIB. Alternatives can be a substitute for SIB because they can provide similar sensations or visual stimuli as the original SIB, without tissue damage. Providing alternative behaviors to clients should not be used as a treatment method or cure for SIB. The purpose of this article is to provide a brief overview of SIB, along with providing example alternative behaviors to SIB that might be helpful for college counselors working with clients who self-injure. These alternatives are a step in counseling that might help minimize or decrease the severity of...

NOTE: All illustrations and photos have been removed from this article.



Looking for additional articles?
Search our database of over 3 million articles.

Looking for more in-depth information on this industry?
Search our complete database of Industry & Market reports by text, subject, publication name or publication date.

About Goliath
Whether you're looking for sales prospects, competitive information, company analysis or best practices in managing your organization, Goliath can help you meet your business needs.

Our extensive business information databases empower business professionals with both the breadth and depth of credible, authoritative information they need to support their business goals. Whether it be strategic planning, sales prospecting, company research or defining management best practices - Goliath is your leading source for accurate information.