Self-injurious behavior in individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities: An interdisciplinary family systems review

Abstract

This conceptual review paper takes an interdisciplinary approach to the study of self-injury in families. The overall goal is to begin integrating siloed bodies of knowledge from empirical work based on findings from individuals with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities and self-injury. The research literature on self-injury and family-level variables is reviewed, including dyadic and individual-level variables with potential bidirectional impact on the family. Then, opportunities for knowledge translation are explored with respect to the pragmatic goal of developing family-level interventions for self-injurious behavior in individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Four opportunities for knowledge translation are highlighted: family patterns, parenting behavior, attachment relationships, and emotional experience.