Abstract:
ABSTRACT
FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE SELF-INJURIOUS
BEHAVIORS: A NONCLINICAL SAMPLE
by
Elizabeth Ann Floto
Master of Arts in Psychology
Psychological Science Option
California State University, Chico
Spring 2009
Self-injurious behavior is a worldwide phenomenon. Most research about selfinjury
is conducted using clinical populations, although of late more research has been
exploring self-injury in nonclinical populations. A questionnaire was administered to 635
participants via the Internet to gather information about stress, anxiety, depression,
impulsivity, and aggression and how these factors relate to self-injury. Results showed
that, in a nonclinical sample, self-injurers scored significantly higher on all five factors
(stress, anxiety, depression, impulsivity, and aggression) than those who did not selfinjure.
Depression had the greatest effect size on self-injury, contradicting past research
indicating that anxiety or aggression was the biggest contributor.
