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

Abstract

Background Peer victimization is a crucial risk predictor for adolescent non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI). However, adolescent NSSI reactions to peer victimization exhibit large individual differences. This study explored whether depression mediated the association between peer victimization and adolescent NSSI, and whether this mediating path was moderated by the 5-HTR2A gene rs6313 polymorphism. Methods A total of 667 adolescents (Meanage = 12.81, SD = 0.48) completed questionnaires regarding peer victimization, depression, and NSSI. Genomic DNA was extracted from saliva and buccal cells from each participant. Results The results showed that the positive relation between peer victimization and adolescent NSSI was mediated by depression. Moreover, the triple interaction between peer victimization, rs6313 polymorphism, and gender on adolescent depression was significant. And the triple interaction between depression, rs6313 polymorphism, and gender on adolescent NSSI was also significant. Specifically, the risk effect of peer victimization on adolescent NSSI through increased depression was stronger for female adolescents with CC genotype than for female adolescents with CT or TT genotype, and male adolescents with CT or TT genotype. However, the indirect effect was nonsignificant for male adolescents with CC genotype. Conclusions These findings promote the etiological understanding of adolescent NSSI, highlighting the mediating and moderating effect between peer victimization and NSSI, and adding evidence supporting the relationship between the 5-HTR2A gene rs6313 polymorphism, depression and adolescent NSSI.

Cumulative ecological risk and nonsuicidal self‐injury in adolescents: The mediation of depression and the moderation of impulsiveness

“…In addition, the results of the mediating effect analysis indicated that depression mediated the relationship between cumulative ecological risk and NSSI in adolescents, consistent with previous research findings on different ecological risk (Li et al, 2022;Wei et al, 2021).…”

“…In addition, the results of the mediating effect analysis indicated that depression mediated the relationship between cumulative ecological risk and NSSI in adolescents, consistent with previous research findings on different ecological risk (Li et al, 2022; Wei et al, 2021). The results proposed that cumulative ecological risk led to an increase in adolescent depression and further led to the occurrence of adolescent NSSI.…”

“…For instance, Thippaiah et al (2021) showed that NSSI was an emotional reflection of various stressful situations that individuals face. At the same time, existing studies have consistently shown that depression has a mediating effect between different ecological risk factors and adolescent NSSI (Deng et al, 2022;Li et al, 2022;Liu et al, 2021Liu et al, , 2022Wei et al, 2021;Zhu et al, 2020).…”

“…For instance, Thippaiah et al (2021) showed that NSSI was an emotional reflection of various stressful situations that individuals face. At the same time, existing studies have consistently shown that depression has a mediating effect between different ecological risk factors and adolescent NSSI (Deng et al, 2022; Li et al, 2022; Liu et al, 2021, 2022; Wei et al, 2021; Zhu et al, 2020). It can be inferred that depression can not only affect adolescent NSSI but also play a mediating role on the effect between cumulative ecological risk and adolescent NSSI.…”

Impacts of difficulties with emotion regulation on the longitudinal relationship between peer victimization and changes in adolescent nonsuicidal self‐injury

“…It is worth noting that after experiencing peer victimization, some individuals have more severe self‐injurious behavior (Li et al, 2022; Wang & Liu, 2019), indicating that moderators could exist. Improving the understanding of the underlying processes of NSSI and moderating factors is vital to inform the design of prevention, early intervention, and treatment programs for adolescents at risk of these behaviors.…”