Behavioral Intervention Study for Self-Injurious Behavior in Children: “Eyelash-Plucking” Behavior Case Report

This study is a case report on a behavioral intervention program an eyelash tearing behavior. One of the types of behavior of this disorder, also called trichotilomania, is eyelash tearing. In this study, it was aimed to reduce the behavior of the child’s eyelash tearing behavior with behavioral interventions by considering the principles of applied behavior analysis at the basis of the behavioral approach. An 8-year-old eyelash plucking case was included in the study and 10 sessions of behavioral intervention were applied. Within the scope of the intervention program, the definition of the problem behavior was made, the function of the problem behavior was determined, and information about the family and the child was collected. Accordingly, the objectives of the intervention were determined and the strategies to be applied for problem behavior were identified. Strategies for the antecedents and consequences of behavior are included in the reduction of behavior. Appropriate reinforcement methods have been determined for the child and the family has been made an active participant in intervention process. Strategies such as directing to acceptable behaviors meeting the same need, differential reinforcement, controlling stimuli were applied and it was determined that these strategies were effective in extinguishing the eyelash plucking behavior. Strategies used before and after behavior in this behavior, also characterized as obsession-compulsive disorder and self-harm, it has been observed that this intervention, applied with parental participation, completely eliminates the behavior.