The Relationship Between Negative Life Events and Nonsuicidal Self-Injury Among Chinese Adolescents: A Moderated-Mediation Model

Abstract

Objective This study aimed to investigate whether anxiety mediates the relationship between negative life events and nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) in adolescents and whether this mediating role is moderated through social support. Methods The model consisted of an anonymous questionnaire survey of 506 Chinese adolescents (253 boys and 253 girls, mean age 15.11 years (SD = 1.83, range 11–18 years)). Self-designed questionnaires were used to collect demographic data. The frequency of NSSI, state anxiety, and social support degree of adolescents was assessed by the Adolescent Life Events Scale, the Chinese version of the Beck Anxiety Inventory, and the social support scale, respectively. Results Negative life events were significantly and positively correlated with anxiety and the frequency of NSSI, and anxiety was significantly and positively correlated with the frequency of NSSI. The positive association between negative life events and the frequency of NSSI among adolescents was mediated by anxiety after controlling for demographic variables. Furthermore, this mediated relationship was moderated by social support. Conclusion Anxiety was a potential mechanism linking negative life events to NSSI in adolescents and low social support important risk factor for amplifying this indirect effect. Our findings provide an empirical basis for reducing NSSI in adolescents.

The Impact of Recent Life Events, Internalizing Symptoms, and Emotion Regulation on the Severity of Non-Suicidal Self-Injury in Adolescents: A Mediation Analysis

“…This is in line with previous studies that have also found a strong relationship between stressful life events and NSSI. 12 , 55 However, our results diverge from a handful of studies that did not find a significant direct effect. 56 One possible explanation for this discrepancy could be the different demographic backgrounds of the study samples.…”

Association between negative life events through mental health and non-suicidal self-injury with young adults: evidence for sex moderate correlation

“…Our findings also provide a new perspective for preventing NSSI among college students [ 37 ]. Therefore, we developed and evaluated a moderation model to clarify the role of multilevel factors, including NLEs, MH, and sex, on NSSI [ 16 ]. A more comprehensive understanding of NSSI and its associated factors may be helpful in developing programs and interventions to reduce the occurrence of NSSI.…”

“…Second, previous studies have established that NLEs and MH are associated with higher NSSI [ 14 , 17 ], and we observed an association between the two in our study. Our analysis is based on the hypothesis of psychopathological development resulting from the interplay between NLEs and behavioral and MH issues [ 16 ]. These findings offer a theoretical foundation for a comprehensive investigation of its role in understanding the relationships between NLEs, MH, and NSSI.…”

“…All these findings illustrate certain issues. As NSSI can be influenced by multiple factors [ 15 , 16 ], clarifying the relationship between these factors is particularly important.…”

“…Research has explained the causes of NSSI using the Four-function Model, which consists of personal, interpersonal, negative, and positive factors [ 17 ]. Many factors from multiple levels of socioenvironmental variables may also influence the processes leading to these differences, thus providing a theoretical framework to explain the role of MH in NSSI [ 16 ]. Moreover, adopting a life-course epidemiology perspective is helpful to understand the etiology of NLEs concerning physical and MH.…”