International Journal of Education and Social Science (IJESS)

This paper explores the impact of childhood abuse on dissociation, leading to self-injurious behavior among adults. These relationships bear relevance to further research and treatment of both dissociation and self-injurious behavior. Child sexual, physical and emotional abuse have been a devastating problem plaguing our society for centuries. Child abuse has only recently been given the attention that it deserves over the past few decades. Although the self-injurious behavior is a phenomenon that significantly impacts the lives of thousands of people, it has gone unaddressed for decades. Dissociation refers to any psychological experience which may occur when one's regular stream of consciousness is disrupted. More attention needs to be given to child abuse victims who engage in self-injurious behaviors, with regards to therapy and learning appropriate coping skills to effectively deal with past trauma. The purpose of this study is to explore a distinct connection between child abuse, dissociation coping self-efficacy, and self-injury, a connection that should not be ignored, and should be further studied. There are many hurting people in society who do not have the proper resources to effectively cope with childhood trauma, and in turn, the result to the only forms of relief that they know, self-injury and self-destruction. It is the hope of this study to bring light to that trauma and its effects to change lives of victims for the better, permanently.