Citation

Licence L, Oliver C, Moss J, Richards C. J. Autism Dev. Disord. 2019; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Affiliation

School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK. c.r.richards@bham.ac.uk.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1007/s10803-019-04260-1

PMID

31655964

Abstract

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.

Language: en

Keywords

Affect; Autism; Impulsivity; Prevalence; Risk-marker; Self-harm