levels of depression in self-harming youths with a heterosexual and non-heterosexual orientation

Self-harm is a high-risk behaviour that mainly occurs in youths as response to psychological burdens. Its prevalence increases during psychologically demanding situations, under the influence of stress, within specific social groups (e.g., minorities) or have some mental conditions. The study concentrates on self-harming (aged from 15 25, AM = 19.32 years) and investigates presence clinical category – depression while also taking into account sexual orientation participants (N=252). results show an extremely high score rating (59.9% reported severe levels). levels are significantly higher (sig. Mann-Whitney U test 0.034) non-heterosexual than those found heterosexual peers (the majority). influences stressors (stigmatization, victimization, prejudice, discrimination) minorities discussed, together with recommendation examine interrelationships between stressors, categories, emphasis identification risk factors for self-harm.