To investigate the risk factors of self-harm behavior in Polish adolescents.

Patients hospitalized in Adolescent Psychiatric Clinic during a 4-year period were surveyed by attending psychiatrists. The survey contained categories such as: demographic data, familial, social and school problems, history of violent experience, and mental disorders. Stepwise logistic regression was used to evaluate predictors of self-harm behavior.

Out of 611 (362 females and 249 males, mean age 16.1±1.5 years) adolescents who participated in the study, 261 (42.7%) patients admitted to deliberate self-harm behavior by having attempted suicide. Patients with a diagnosis of behavioral or emotional disorders were more prone to selfharm behavior (p< 0.001). Risk factors retained in the final regression model were: female gender, diagnosis of behavioral disorders, skipping classes, romantic disappointment, sexual abuse and family conflicts (table).

Acts of deliberate self-harm in adolescence are due to an accumulation of several factors. School-based programs focused on dealing with psychosocial stressors may be considered a feasible means of self-harm prevention.