The role of awareness in reducing nail-biting behavior

Tic Disorders, Trichotillomania, and Other Repetitive Behavior Disorders

“…They found reductions in biting for all subjects but no differences among treatment components. Adesso et al (1979) found that subjects in their positive incentive group (earned credits for nail growth) produced changes in biting behavior equivalent to those in their other groups (response cost, selfmonitoring, nail measure, and minimal contact). Davidson, Denny, and Elliott (1980) included self-reinforcement training in their multi-component treatment package and found the group that received this training (along with various other components) obtained the best treatment outcome.…”

“…In a case study with an adult female client, Ross (1974) reported elimination of nail biting that was maintained at 6-month follow-up through the use of a response cost procedure in which the patient agreed to contribute money to a disliked organization for failure to increase nail length. Both Stephen and Koenig (1970) and Adesso et al (1979) conducted controlled studies that found response cost (threatened loss of money or credits) equally effective to other treatments in the reduction of nail biting.…”

“…However, subjects who self-monitored experienced greater increases in nail length than those who did not selfmonitor. The failure to find differential outcome effects for different treatments led some authors (e.g., Adesso et al, 1979;Davidson & Denny, 1976) to conclude that nonspecific factors are the effective ingredients in nail biting reduction. Azrin, Nunn, and Frantz (1980a) indicated that the treatment components responsible for the improvements found in prior research were heightened awareness of nail biting (either through increased attention to one's nails, as in self-monitoring, or through contact with a therapist for measurement or other treatment regimen) and the expectation of treatment benefit.…”

“…A number of the elements of the habit reversal package have been studied independently, such as relaxation training as a competing response (Barrios, 1977); overcorrection (Barmann, 1979), and awareness training (Adesso et al, 1979). Using the full habit reversal treatment, eliminated nail biting in three adults and one child after a single day of treatment.…”

Nägelkauen: Deskription, Erklärungsansätze und Behandlung

“…1976, oder die Anzahl der Nägelkauepisoden bzw. das Ausmaß der Kontrolle darüber wird durch den Nägelkauer selbst ein geschätzt [Bücher, 1968: Delparto et al, 1977 In Studien, in denen sowohl Nagellänge als auch selbsteinge schätztes Nägelkauverhalten erhoben wurden [Adesso et al, 1979: Barrios. 1977Christmann und Sommer, 1976: Home und Wilkinson.…”