Correlational analysis of self-injury in adolescents and young adults with autism spectrum disorder
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.70478/apuntes.psi.2025.43.18Keywords:
Adolescents, Self-Injury , Autism Spectrum DisorderAbstract
Self-injury can be added to the characteristics of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), making its manifestation even more complex. This study aims to analyze the relationship between self-injury and the degree of ASD diagnosis in a population of adolescents and young adults. The study included 50 patients diagnosed with the disorder who had previously been admitted to specialized mental health resource under full hospitalization regime. The Inventory of Self-Injury Statements (ISAS) was used. The results highlight a significant relationship between the degree of autism endorsement and biting behavior, with a correlation coefficient of 0.475 (p<0.001). Participants with higher degrees had a higher frequency of self-injury by biting (mean=1.5, SD=0.544). It is concluded that measures could be considered to reduce self-injury due to biting in individuals with ASD, recognizing that the higher the degree of the disorder, the greater the likelihood of biting and experiencing pain, always considering the patient's other associated characteristics and comorbidities. These findings may contribute to current knowledge about ASD, allowing for improved clinical practices and optimizing pain management and reducing self-injury in this population.
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