目的：探討智能不足患者自傷行為之類型、出現頻率及相關因素。方法：對某公立教養院全院318名院生進行調查，再由作者以自編之「智障孩童自傷行為評估表」對有自傷行為院生之保育人員逐一訪談收集資料。結果：全院318名院生中45名(14.18%)有程度不等之自傷行為；自傷以一種居多(佔53.3%)；以搔抓、咬、用手打頭等類型較常見；院生處於生氣狀態時較易出現自傷行為，而處於戶外時能降低自傷行為的產生。保育人員對自傷行為較常使用威嚇、忽略及責打等處理方式，且認為自傷行為之目的多為尋求感覺刺激、情緒宣洩。結論：自傷行為是機構內智能不足患者嚴重的問題，其動機及有效處置模式仍需進一步研究。

　　　　　Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the type, frequency, and factors associated with self-injurious behaviors (SIB) in institutionalized mentally retarded children and adolescents. Methods: All 318 residents of a provincial institution for mentally retarded children and adolescents were included for study. The caregivers of the institution were interviewed, and identified those subjects who exhibited SIBs, in accordance with the SIB scale. The identified to exhibit SIB and their caregivers were then subjected to the second-stage of the study for detailed data collection. Results: Forty-five (14.2%) of the 318 subjects demonstrated SIB in the past month; of those 45 subjects, 53.3% exhibited only one type SIB. SIBs were often associated with anger and occurred less frequent during outdoor activities. Caregivers commonly employed techniques of reprimand, neglect or punishment to control the SIBs. The caregivers attributed SIB to the seeking of sensory stimulation, attention, and as an expression of emotion. Conclusion: Self-injurious behaviors are a common problem among institutionalized mentally retarded children and adolescents and the caregivers almost didn't use any positive reinforcement strategies to manage the SIBs. The causes of and reasons for the exhibition of SIB, therefore, deserve to be further studied in the effort to find an effective treatment modality.