Self-mutilating behavior as a dysfunctional coping strategy - An Internet-based survey

The aim of the study was to assess characteristics of self-mutilating behav ior as well as factors of vulnerability and to screen for comorbid disorder s (SCL-90-R, DIS-Q, FAPK 1,3). 101 individuals (90 women) mostly from the U nited Stares and Europe took part in the internet-based study. Mean age was 27; 74% had received psychotherapy. On average they started to mutilate th emselves at age 14, mainly by cutting their wrists. 73% reported traumatic life events -65% sexual abuse during childhood. The testscales show extreme deficits of reality-orientation, affect-regulation, social competence and a dissociative coping style. Implications for treatment are deduced from th ese results and from the analysis of conditions which precede and maintain self-mutilating behavior.