Teenage Selfharm and Guilt: Exploring the Impact of Self-Esteem

This article examines the relationship between self-esteem and self-destructive behavior in adolescents, examining the phenomenon of self-harm and the accompanying sense of guilt, how low self-esteem affects the emotional state of adolescents and leads to self-harming behavior. Special attention is paid to the influence of interpersonal conflicts, peer pressure and high expectations of parents on the formation of negative attitudes towards themselves. The psychological mechanisms associated with guilt, which increases after acts of self-harm, creating a vicious cycle of self-blame, are considered. The paper suggests prevention and support strategies for adolescents, including improving self-esteem, developing emotional regulation skills, and improving interpersonal interactions.