Citation

Haines J, Williams CL, Brain KL, Wilson GV. J. Abnorm. Psychol. 1995; 104(3): 471-489.

Affiliation

Department of Psychology, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1995, American Psychological Association)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

7673571

Abstract

Self-mutilators' psychophysiological and subjective responses during an imaged self-mutilative act were examined. Differences in arousal to 3 imaged control events (neutral, accidental injury, and aggression) were examined between 3 self-mutilation groups (prisoner, prisoner control, and nonprison control). Imagery scripts were presented in 4 stages; scene setting, approach, incident, and consequence. Results indicated a decrease in psychophysiological and subjective response during self-mutilation imagery. No such decrease was evident for nonmutilators who were administered standard self-mutilation imagery. A lag between psychophysiological and psychological response to the self-mutilative act was evident. Responses elicited during self-mutilation imagery were different from those of control imagery. Results indicated that self-mutilative behavior is maintained by its reinforcing tension-reducing qualities.

Language: en