Characterizing Automatically Maintained Self-Injury With the Aberrant Behavior Checklist

Abstract Multidimensional variables linked to repetitive behavior, hyperactivity, and mood dysregulation are correlated with the prevalence and severity of self-injurious behavior (SIB) in individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). The purpose of this exploratory study was to examine differences in Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC) subscales between individuals with socially maintained SIB and automatically maintained SIB (ASIB). Overall, there were not significant differences in ABC subscale elevations between the SIB and ASIB groups. However, when ASIB was stratified into distinct subtypes, notable differences in subscale elevations were observed. Our results indicate the ABC may have utility for further characterizing the neurobehavioral divergence among individuals with IDD who engage in self-injury.