The relationship between skin picking and parent attachment of young adults

Skin picking disorder (SPD) is a condition characterized by excessive and repetitive picking behaviors on the skin surface without a dermatological problem. It was not included in a separate diagnostic category until the DSM-5. There is also a separate diagnostic category in the DSM-5, 'Obsessive Compulsive and Associated Disorders'. It is known that exposure to inadequate care, neglect or abuse in childhood carries the risk of self-harm, and the traumatic experiences occurring in this period cause many psychosomatic and psychodermatological diseases. .(M. Yalçın,2014) In order to examine the relationship between skin scraping behavior and parental attachment in young adults, an online study was conducted with the information of 417 participants. The "Skin Picking Scale" was used for the attachment styles of the participants in the "Parent Attachment Inventory Revised Form" for skin picking behavior. In addition, personal and socio-demographic information about adults and their families were collected through the "Personal Information Form" developed by the researcher. As a result of the study, a significant relationship was found between attachment to parents and skin picking scale scores. Parental attachment total score (t(415)=-4.00 p<0.01) was found in those who reported no skin-skin picking behavior (X̄=64.61; sd=9.12) compared to those who reported skin-skin picking behavior (X̄ =60.77; sd=10.07) was found to be significantly higher. Skin picking behavior is present in 57.8% of the participants and skin picking scale scores are above the cut-off point in 106 participants, so a diagnosis of skin picking disorder is likely. Skin picking scale scores were found to be significantly higher in participants who had a history of skin picking behavior in other family members and had previously been diagnosed with OCD. Skin picking scale total scores were found to be the highest for the participants who stated that they enjoyed and aware of skin picking, and the lowest for those who reported that they were unhappy, nervous, or angry.