Am J Psychiatry 1978; 135:579-582
Copyright © 1978 by American Psychiatric Association
Self-destructive behavior in battered children
AH Green
Fifty-nine physically abused children demonstrated a significantly higher
incidence of self-destructive behavior than two control groups of nonabused
children, one neglected and one normal. The self- destructive behavior,
including suicide attempts and self-mutilation, was potentiated by
interrelated variables operating in the abused child and his environment.
Often enhanced by the ego deficits and impaired impulse control of the
abused children, this behavior seemed to represent a learned pattern
originating in early traumatic experiences with hostile primary objects.
