Self-cutting in female adolescents.

While most recent research has disproved the idea that normal adolescence is characterized by storm and stress, 10% to 20% of adolescents exhibit severe emotional disturbance. One behavior that expresses this disturbance and is particularly prevalent in adolescents is self-mutilation. An examination of the literature suggested eight differentiable theoretical models addressing why adolescents might engage in selfmutilation: behavioral, systemic, avoidance of suicide, sexual, expression of affect, control of affect, ending depersonalization, and creating boundaries. These models were evaluated by surveying a nationwide sample of psychologists and social workers. Related developmental issues were also investigated. Results indicated that therapists found the expression, control, depersonalization, and boundaries models most useful in understanding and treating selfmutilating adolescents. There was little support for the sexual or suicide models. Implications for therapeutic interventions