Aim. The objective of the study was to assess possible relationships between the occurrence of deliberate self-harm (DSH) in young patients during their psychiatric treatment and the presence of specific mental disorders, or the history of suicide attempts, the exposure to abuse and their family situation. Material. The studied group consisted of 187 in-patients, aged 13-19 years, hospitalised at the Adolescent Ward of the Central Teaching Hospital, Medical University of Lodz, during 2 quarters: on the turn of 2005 and at the beginning of 2006. Method. All patients were psychiatrically examined and, on discharge, they were assessed with the Questionnaire for the Assessment of Self-Harm designed for the purpose of this study. Results. Forty-seven percent of the psychiatrically treated in-patients had performed DSH acts. A strong relationship (p<0.001) was found between the occurrence of DSH and the previous history of suicidal attempts, the presence of an alcoholic problem in the family, exposure to sexual and physical abuse and the lack of support from close family members. Conclusions. There was no relationship between the occurrence of deliberate self-harm in young in-patients and the presence of a specific psychiatric disorders.