Mediating role of depression in the association between alexithymia and nonsuicidal self-injury in a representative sample of adolescents in Taiwan

Abstract

Background Nock’s (2009) integrated theoretical model suggests that specific intrapersonal vulnerability factors caused by distal risk factors contribute to the development of nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI). Alexithymia and depression have been found to predict NSSI. Based on Nock’s model, alexithymia plays a distal risk factor role to increase the risk of depression—an intrapersonal vulnerability factor—and further increase the risk of NSSI. However, small or unrepresentative samples in past studies limit the generalizability of the results. This study examined the roles of depression and alexithymia in predicting NSSI, as well as the mediating effect of depression in the relation between alexithymia and NSSI in a large representative sample of adolescents in Taiwan. Methods Using a cross-sectional study design, a large representative sample of 2,170 senior high school students in Taiwan was assessed by self-report measures of alexithymia, depression, and NSSI. Mediation analyses were performed to examine whether the relation between alexithymia and NSSI was mediated by depression. The questionnaires were administered in classrooms. Results Results showed that alexithymia positively predicted NSSI (β = 0.23, p < .001) and depression can also positively predict NSSI (β = 0.41, p < .001). Additionally, the association between alexithymia and NSSI was fully mediated by depression. Conclusions This study data provided evidence for the mediating role of depression between alexithymia and NSSI, which can be explained by Nock’s (2009) integrated theoretical model. The implications of the findings for future research and intervention were discussed.

Peer victimization, depression, and non-suicidal self-injury among Chinese adolescents: the moderating role of the 5-HTR2A gene rs6313 polymorphism

“…Increasing research shows that depression plays a crucial role in predicting NSSI among adolescents [ 11 , 12 ]. Tang et al [ 13 ] also emphasized the positively significant link between depression and adolescent NSSI. Based on the abovementioned literature and theory, we propose the following hypothesis:…”

The Effect of Art Therapy and Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy Program on the Levels of Alexithymia of Individuals

“…Parker, Bagby & Taylor (1991) stated that alexithymia not only can be seen in psychosomatic disorders, but also can be seen in mental disorders such as depression too. The relationship of depression and alexithymia disorder has been demonstrated in many studies (Tang et al, 2022;Hemming et al, 2019;Foran and O'leary, 2013). Honkalampi, Hintikka, Laukkanen & Viinamäki (2001) suggested in their study with the Toronto Alexithymia Scale and the Hamilton Depression Scale that alexithymia is completely different from depression but these are closely related structures.…”

The mediating effect of internet addiction and the moderating effect of physical activity on the relationship between alexithymia and depression

“…Evidence of a high correlation between alexithymia and depression exists in various populations 20 . Furthermore, depression mediates the relationship between alexithymia and other risk behaviors in individuals 24 , even completely mediating it 25 . Therefore, based on the above review, we hypothesize that there is a positive correlation between alexithymia and depression in college students.…”