EPIDEMIOLOGY OF SELF-INJURIOUS-BEHAVIOR IN ADULTS WITH LEARNING-DISABILITIES

Background There have been few epidemiological studies of the disablin g and poorly understood disorder self-injurious behaviour among adults with learning disabilities. Method Interviews were undertaken with th e carers of adults known to the Leicestershire Learning Disabilities R egister (n=2277). The Disability Assessment Schedule was used and info rmation was also collected on demographic characteristics, development al and physical status. Results Self-injurious behaviour was present i n 17.4% of the population. In 1.7% self-injurious behaviour occurred f requently and was severe. There was no gender difference between those with and without self-injurious behaviour. Both the chronological age and developmental quotient of individuals with self-injurious behavio ur were lower than those of individuals without self-injurious behavio ur. Autistic symptoms were more common among those with sell-injurious behaviour. The association of self-injurious behaviour with a wide ra nge of other maladaptive behaviours was highly significant. Logistic r egression analysis retained age, developmental quotient, hearing statu s, immobility and number of autistic symptoms as explanatory variables for self-injurious behaviour. Conclusions Self-injurious behaviour is a prevalent and disabling disorder among adults with learning disabil ities.