Today, the problem of self-destructive behavior, including among adolescents, is urgent throughout the world. Psychologists are actively studying the nature and causes of this phenomenon, conduct discussions and research. The urgency of the problem lies in the fact that this phenomenon negatively affects the intellectual, genetic and professional reserves of society. Therefore, it requires a more detailed study of methods for preventing self-destructive behavior in adolescents and adults. To prevent the occurrence of such a problem among people, in particular adolescents, it is necessary to create long-term programs of psychological support, the purpose of which will be to preserve the human mental health.
Description and description of the problem
Self-destructive behavior is a form of deviant (deviant) behavior aimed at causing harm to oneās physical or mental health. These are human actions that do not correspond to officially established norms in society.
This phenomenon is widespread in society and acts as a dangerous phenomenon. It poses a threat to the normal development of man. Today in the world the number of suicides, drug addicts, drug addicts, alcoholics is very large and growing every year. Therefore, this problem requires an immediate solution.
Forms of pathology
Auto-destructive behavior takes several forms:
- Suicidal form is considered the most dangerous. Many authors have identified several forms of suicidal behavior.
- An eating disorder in the form of anorexia or bulimia develops as a result of individual characteristics of the character and his attitude to the opinions of others.
- Additive self-destructive behavior, which is expressed in the occurrence of chemical, economic or information dependence, for example, alcoholism, avarice syndrome and so on.
- A fanatical form characterized by a personās involvement in a cult, sport, and music.
- The victimization form is determined by the actions of one person, aimed at inducing another to commit an act that does not meet social standards.
- Extreme activity that poses a threat to health and life.
Most often all of the above forms of self-destructive behavior in adolescents are found. According to statistics, this phenomenon poses a threat to stability in society. Over the past ten years, the number of suicides has increased by 10%, and the rates of alcoholism and drug abuse among adolescents have also increased.
Reasons for the development of pathology
Today, around the world, the problem of drug addiction and alcoholism, as well as suicides among young people, is becoming an epidemic. Therefore, it is important not only to correct these phenomena, but also to develop methods for the prevention of self-destructive behavior in schools, higher educational institutions, and social centers.
Adolescents are more likely than others to develop this behavior due to their age. In adolescence, there is a restructuring of the body and psyche, so a person is distinguished by emotional instability, unconventional thinking. A major role is played by a change in the social situation, the lack of life experience, the influence of a large number of adverse factors: social, environmental, economic, and so on.
From the point of view of psychology
In psychology, the protective response of the psyche, which Freud once described, is considered as a factor in self-destructive behavior. Such behavior develops as a result of redirection of aggression from an external object to itself.
Some psychologists identify three components that affect the appearance of self-destructive behavior:
- Frustration, as a result of which there is an internal conflict aimed at suppressing aggression.
- Traumatic psyche situation.
- Reverse denial, which increases tension, develops the need to resolve the internal conflict.
Research A. A. Rean
A. A. Rean, a researcher of adolescent behavior, identified four blocks in the structure of self-destructive behavior:
- Character. A personās behavior is largely determined by such features of his character as neuroticism, introversion, pedantry, and demonstrativeness.
- Self-esteem. The more auto-aggression is manifested, the lower the personās self-esteem.
- Interactivity The behavior is influenced by the ability to adapt in society, the ability to interact with people.
- Socio-perceptual block. Behavior largely depends on the perceptions of other people.
Psychologists note that auto-destruction does not appear immediately, but a certain period of time is formed in a hidden form. Self-destruction is an abnormal behavior that is characterized by a personās desire for self-destruction. It manifests itself in drug addiction, alcoholism, self-mutilation, suicide.
Alcoholism and drug addiction
One of the forms of self-destruction is the regular use of psychoactive substances - alcohol and drugs, which leads to a mental and consciousness disorder. Regular consumption of such substances leads to self-destructive behavior: drunk driving, drug addiction, impaired interaction with people.
According to statistics, today 200 million people in the world take drugs. Addiction contributes to the degradation of personality: mental, intellectual, physical and moral. Drugs contribute to the development of dementia, delirium and amnestic syndrome. With the cessation of the use of narcotic drugs, a complete restoration of personality is not observed.
Alcohol contributes to such destructive personality changes that affect cognitive functions, thinking, self-control, memory. After stopping the use of alcohol in 10% of people, the existing disorders are not completely restored.
Chemical dependencies
Pathological Internet addiction and a passion for gambling (gambling) lead to the development of self-destructive behavior. Depending on the Internet, there is a change in motivation and human needs. Particularly relevant today is the dependence on computer games, which has a destructive effect on the individual. Usually the virtual world in games is aggressive, destructive and merciless, and the player himself must confront this evil. When you are in such an environment for a long period of time, a person increases the level of anxiety, which acts as a factor in destructive behavior. Internet addiction leads to a violation of motivation and needs, will, communication, change in character, the development of autism.
Addiction to gambling is a disorder of control over their behavior, which leads to the destruction of the individual. In a person, needs and motivation, will, self-esteem are violated, irrational beliefs and the so-called illusion of control develop. The consequence of gambling is the development of autism, which often leads to self-destruction.
Autodestruction Correction
In the prevention and correction of autodegradation, they are allocated for the direction of:
- Focus on the problem. In this case, a large role is given to resolving a difficult situation, problem.
- Landmark on the personality. It focuses on a personās awareness of himself and his behavior.
Thus, for the correction of self-destructive behavior, the thoughts of a social educator should be aimed at restoring the psychological health of a person. A person who has self-destruction must learn to adequately perceive himself and his behavior, manage his thoughts, be emotionally stable, freely and naturally show emotions, have adequate self-esteem, and also be purposeful, self-confident.
Particular attention should be paid to the harmony of a person, orientation to his self-development, interest in the world around him.
To eliminate self-destructive behavior, a social educator must eradicate a personās tendency to perceive the world around him through the prism of deep-seated negative ideas and opinions, risk, and also teach him to accept himself and his shortcomings. The main thing is the desire of adults to interact with children.
Prevention of auto-destructive behavior
Successful auto-destruction prophylaxis requires long-term support programs by psychologists and social educators. They should be aimed at maintaining the psychological health of children, their development and self-determination, the development of the ability to introspection.
Classes with psychologists and social educators will help adolescents with self-destructive behavior adapt in society, build harmonious relationships with themselves and other people.
Preventive measures should be aimed at preventing suicide. To do this, one needs to study psycho-traumatic situations, be able to remove emotional stress, reduce psychological dependence on the cause of suicidal thoughts, form a compensatory mechanism of behavior and an adequate attitude to life and people around.
Prevention should be continuous and include the collaboration of parents, psychologists, social workers, physicians, law enforcement agencies and educators.
Preventative program
To implement the tasks it is necessary to develop an individual program, which includes:
- Teenager support.
- Establishing contact with him.
- Autodecomposition recognition.
- The development of a compensatory mechanism of behavior.
- Establishing consent with a teenager.
- Correction of behavior.
- Increasing the level of adaptation in society.
- The holding of trainings.
Only an integrated approach to the problem of self-destructive behavior will help reduce the risks of its development in children and adults.