Gender differences in adolescent self-harming behaviour

Abstract

The occurrence of self-harming behaviour as a non-adaptive coping strategy within the adolescent population is on the increase. In an effort to clarify the occurrence and characteristics of this high-risk behaviour, many experts have focused on an examination of the various variables related to the prevalence, risk, or protective factors of self-harm. Many studies have focused on gender differences; however, the results have been mixed. The study provides basic data on the incidence of self-harm in a group of male and female (N = 1699) adolescents (11-19 years, AM = 15.24). Through an analysis of the differences in prevalence, intensity, and types of self-harming behaviour, related to gender, it tries to identify the reasons for the different findings in the published literature. The results show that although the prevalence and overall intensity of self-harm is statistically higher in women, this does not apply to the most frequently studied direct physical forms of self-harm. Through its findings, the study draws attention to the need for a clear definition of self-harm as well as to the consequences of different diagnostic approaches.