Williams TI, Rose R, Chisholm S. What is the function of nail biting: an analog assessment study.
Behav Res Ther 2006;
45:989-95. [PMID:
17010305 DOI:
10.1016/j.brat.2006.07.013]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2005] [Revised: 07/12/2006] [Accepted: 07/25/2006] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To compare the frequency of nail biting in 4 settings (interventions) designed to elicit the functions of nail biting and to compare the results with a self-report questionnaire about the functions of nail biting.
DESIGN
Randomised allocation of participants to order of conditions.
SETTING
University Psychology Department.
SUBJECTS
Forty undergraduates who reported biting their nails.
INTERVENTIONS
Left alone (boredom), solving maths problems (frustration), reprimanded for nail biting (contingent attention), continuous conversation (noncontingent attention).
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
Number of times the undergraduates bit their nails.
RESULTS
Nail biting occurred most often in two conditions, boredom and frustration.
CONCLUSION
Nail biting in young adults occurs as a result of boredom or working on difficult problems, which may reflect a particular emotional state. It occurs least often when people are engaged in social interaction or when they are reprimanded for the behavior.
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