Cited by 150Autism Spectrum Disorder ResearchSuicide and Self-Harm StudiesBehavioral and Psychological Studies

The Prevalence of Self-injurious Behaviour in Autism: A Meta-analytic Study

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Steenfeldt-Kristensen, Catherine, Jones, Chris A., Richards, Caroline·2020·Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders

Abstract

Self-injurious behaviour is purportedly common in autism, but prevalence rates have not yet been synthesised meta-analytically. In the present study, data from 14,379 participants in thirty-seven papers were analysed to generate a pooled prevalence estimate of self-injury in autism of 42% (confidence intervals 0.38–0.47). Hand-hitting topography was the most common form of self-injury (23%), self-cutting topography the least common (3%). Sub-group analyses revealed no association between study quality, participant intellectual disability or age and overall prevalence rate of self-injury. However, females obtained higher prevalence rates than males ( p = .013) and hair pulling and self-scratching were associated with intellectual disability ( p = .008 and p = .002, respectively). The results confirm very high rates of self-injury in autism and highlight within group risk-markers.

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Research works printed but not linked: 4

  1. Hastings RP Brown T Coping strategies and the impact of challenging behaviours on special educators burnout Mental Retardation 2002 40 148 155 11925269
  2. Matson JL Turygin NC How do researchers define behaviour? Research in Developmental Disabilities 2012 33 1021 1026 22502826
  3. Richards C Oliver C Nelson L Moss J Self-injurious behaviours in individual with autism and intellectual disability Journal of Intellectual Disability Research 2012 56 476 489 22404122
  4. Weiss J Self-injurious behaviors in autism: A literature review Journal on Developmental Disabilities 2002 9 129 143

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Authors
Steenfeldt-Kristensen, C., Jones, C. A., & Richards, C.
Affiliations
  • Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust (GB)
  • University of Birmingham (GB)
Corresponding author
Richards, Caroline
Venue
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
Published
2020-04-15
Volume
50
Issue
11
Pages
3857-3873
ISSN
  • 0162-3257 (ISSN-L)
  • 1573-3432
OpenAlex
W3016276573
Cited by
150
References
101
Citations by year
2026: 20 · 2025: 31 · 2024: 33 · 2023: 27 · 2022: 25 · 2021: 10 · 2020: 4
FWCI
2.23
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • University of Birmingham Research Portal (University of Birmingham) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Suicide and Self-Harm Studies
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Behavioral and Psychological Studies
Keywords
self-harm, autism spectrum disorder, prevalence, self-cutting, intellectual disability, sex differences, hair pulling, risk indicators
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Autistic Disorder, Female, Humans, Male, Intellectual Disability, Prevalence, Self-Injurious Behavior

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