Research PaperSkin picking behaviors: An examination of the prevalence and severity in a community sample
Section snippets
Participants and procedures
The first author and trained assistants completed confidentiality training modules in social and behavioral research as required for study approval by the Institutional Review Board. Prior to data collection, assistants were familiarized with the study protocol, in which the definition of skin picking was operationalized as any intentional scratching or picking (with fingers or other tools) at normal skin, or skin with minor blemishes, scabs or insect bites, resulting in noticeable injury. The
Prevalence and severity
A total of 62.7% (n = 222) of the sample endorsed some form of skin picking, defined as any picking, rubbing, or scratching with either fingers or tools at skin regardless of being ‘normal’ or ‘irregular.’ The most common sites reported by all participants included the face (41.8% of the total sample, n = 148), cuticles and nails (33.1%, n = 117), arms (22.6%, n = 80), scalp (16.9%, n = 60), and hands and feet (16.1%, n = 57). In the total sample, 11.2% reportedly engaged in clinically significant skin
Discussion
Within a nonclinical community sample, this study examined prevalence rates of skin picking behaviors and correlations with affective distress. Consistent with studies finding that skin picking is relatively common and largely benign (Bohne et al., 2002; Hajcak, Franklin, Simons, & Keuthen, 2006; Keuthen et al., 2000), most participants endorsed the behavior in some form. Body sites most susceptible to skin picking closely matched those referenced in Keuthen et al. (2000), and included the
Acknowledgements
This study was conducted as part of Ms. Hayes’ University of Florida Honors Program requirements. The authors would like to thank David Janicke, Ph.D., Gary R. Geffken, Ph.D., and Megan Demerich for their contributions.
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