A Log-Linear Analysis of Variables Associated With Self-Mutilation Behaviors of Women With Histories of Child Sexual Abuse

Abstract

This study was an exploratory analysis of variables differentiating child sexual abuse (CSA) survivors who self-mutilate from those who do not. Women with histories of CSA ( N = 84) were placed into two groups based on the presence or absence of self-mutilating behavior. A log-linear logit analysis was conducted to compare participants on several psychological, demographic, family-of-origin, and abuse-related variables. The model that best fit the data indicated that self-mutilators were more likely to have experienced physical or physiological abuse in their families of origin and have a history of eating disorders and currently were more depressed and dissociated.