Interconnection of digital markers of online activity and socio-demographic characteristics of young males with non-suicidal forms of self-harming behavior

The number of Internet users is growing every year. Digital data can be relevant markers in research on mental health, risk factors for mental illness and self-harm. Aim of the study: to identify the connection between digital content data and socio-demographic characteristics of young males with non-suicidal forms of self-injurious behavior. Material and methods. The sample consisted of 193 voluntary participants in the study - males aged 18 to 27. The assessment of non-suicidal self-harm was performed within the DSM-5 criteria and the scale of self-harm behavior. The parameters of the digital footprint were estimated using data processing algorithms based on open and publicly available data from VK social network. Mathematical data processing was performed using the SPSS-Statistics V26 software. Results. The study revealed that 38.7% of young males committed an act of self-harm at least once in their lives. According to DSM-5 criteria, where at least 5 self-harming actions within a year must be taken into account, the prevalence of self-harm was 22.6%. Cuts with sharp objects were made by young men with low level of education (p=0.047), who live mainly in rural areas (p=0.039). The use of psychoactive substances and tobacco was recorded with a high statistical significance in this group (p=0.0001). Young people living in urban areas (p=0.006), with experience of drug use (p=0.001) and previously prosecuted (p=0.003) were more likely to hit hard surfaces with their fist, leg, head or body. The digital footprint of young people who committed self-harm was distinguished by the presence of aggressive content on social media profile pages (p=0.02) and images with aggressive content (p=0.008). Conclusion. The results of the study indicate a connection between self-harming behavior in young males with low level of education, smoking, alcohol and drug use. It was also shown that digital markers of online activity in a group of young men with a history of non-suicidal self-harm are the posting of aggressive content on social media and photographs of aggressive content. The authors believe that the results of the study can become the basis for the development of diagnostic algorithms and informed prevention programs for young people.