Presence of non-suicidal self-injury in the youth environment: sociodemographic factors, frequency and metalanguages. A quantitative analysis

Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is increasingly prevalent among young adults, with estimated rates between 10% and 15%. This study explores its presence in their daily lives and identifies groups at higher risk. A survey of 1,017 university students in Spain revealed that 79% know someone who self-harms, and 12% have engaged in NSSI themselves. Many participants also recognize the specialized terminology used in online self-harm communities—such as barcode, butterflies, trasto, local, and moots—including terms not previously described in the literature. Gender, sexual orientation, and field of study significantly influence familiarity with this coded language and the prevalence of NSSI, while family structure primarily affects self-harm occurrence and awareness within close networks. These results underscore the frequent presence of NSSI in both digital and offline environments, highlighting the need for greater awareness, prevention, and targeted interventions to support young adults and mitigate the associated psychological and social risks.