Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a significant behavioral problem among adolescents all over the world. This study examined the longitudinal relationship between peer victimization and NSSI, as well as the buffering effects of self-compassion and family cohesion on this relationship. Data were collected at two time points from 525 secondary school students (226 girls; M age ¼ 12.97, SD ¼ 1.02) in China. Results showed that peer victimization (marginally) significantly predicted NSSI over time even after controlling for Wave 1 NSSI. This association was weakened under the condition of high levels of self-compassion. Findings of this study emphasize the buffering effect of self-compassion in the relationship between peer victimization and NSSI, and are informative for prevention and intervention of this behavioral problem.

Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a serious public health problem. Identifying the factors that could help prevent or reduce NSSI is important. The current study examined the protective roles of the perceived qualities of current attachment to significant others (i.e., mothers, fathers, and peers) and self-compassion in adolescent NSSI. The potential mediating effect of self-compassion in the relationships between attachment relationships with mothers, fathers, and peers and adolescent NSSI was also explored. Self-reported data on mother, father, and peer attachment (each included 3 dimensions; i.e., trust, communication, and closeness); self-compassion; and NSSI were collected from 658 secondary school students (59.9% male; M = 13.58 years). Participants with NSSI experiences scored significantly higher on the perceived qualities of current attachment with parents and self-compassion than those reporting no NSSI experience. Attachment with peers did not distinguish the NSSI group from the Non-NSSI group. Further mediation analyses indicated that self-compassion mediated the relationships of closeness with mothers, fathers (partially), and peers to NSSI as well as the relationship of peer communication to NSSI. Limitations of this study and implications regarding the protective roles of attachment and self-compassion in the prevention and intervention for NSSI are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record

Objective: To explore the relationship between parental psychological control and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) and examine whether negative emotions (i.e., anxiety, depression, and stress) mediated this relationship among a Chinese adolescent sample in rural areas. Methods:A number of 381 Chinese adolescents from a junior high school participated in this study. They aged from 12 to 17 years (M=13.86, SD=1.08). Participants completed questionnaires assessing NSSI, negative emotions and parental psychological control. Results:We found that negative emotions and parental psychological control were significantly associated with NSSI. What's more, our results showed that negative emotions fully mediated the relationship between parental psychological control and NSSI after controlling for gender and grade. Conclusion:Parental psychological control as one of the invalidating parenting styles may heighten one's negative emotions, which may then lead to the engagement in NSSI. Implications for the treatment of adolescents with NSSI and suggestions for their parents in the context of the Chinese culture context for rural areas were proposed in the study.