The relationship between negative life events and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) among Chinese junior high school students: the mediating role of emotions

Abstract

Background Adolescent non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is common and adolescence is the most common period of first self-injury, and the occurrence of NSSI is influenced by negative life events and emotional symptoms. The mediating role of emotional symptoms in the interaction between negative life events and NSSI has not been carefully investigated yet. Methods For middle school students in three schools in a Chinese province, the Adolescents Self-Harm Scale was used to investigate NSSI, the Adolescent Self-Rating Life Events Check List was used to investigate adolescent negative life events, and the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale and Self-Rating Depression Scale were used to assess their emotional symptoms. After the description of general data and the test for differences between groups, the relationship between negative life events, emotional symptoms and NSSI was analyzed using Pearson correlation analysis. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the mediating role of emotions in negative life events and NSSI. Results A total of 2376 junior high school students completed this survey, which revealed an annual NSSI prevalence of 37.1% (n = 881) and a higher prevalence of NSSI among girls and rural adolescents. Among adolescents who developed NSSI, 67.4% (N = 594) used multiple means of self-injury. The most common means of self-injury was hair pulling (51.0%), and the most common NSSI purpose and external factors/events were venting bad emotions or feelings (57.5%) and poor academic performance (44.9%), respectively. Negative life events, emotional symptoms and NSSI were positively associated (P < 0.05). Structural equation modeling with negative life events, emotional symptoms and NSSI as variables showed that the model-fit index matched the data well, with RMSEA = 0.073, AGFI = 0.945, GFI = 0.980, CFI = 0.985, NFI = 0.982, TLI = 0.968, IFI = 0.985, and negative life events, emotional symptoms (anxiety, depression) and NSSI all had direct effects with standardized path coefficients of 0.16, 0.19, and 0.23, respectively, with negative life events playing an indirect role in NSSI through emotional symptoms and emotional symptoms playing an incomplete mediating role in negative life events and NSSI. Conclusion The prevalence of NSSI was higher among Chinese junior high school students. Both negative life events and emotional symptoms were direct risk factors for NSSI. In addition, negative life events were also indirect risk factors for NSSI, and emotional symptoms played an incomplete mediating role in the relationship between the effects of negative life events and NSSI. This indicates that the combination of reducing the frequency of negative life events while maintaining individual emotional stability during adolescent development can effectively reduce the prevalence of NSSI in adolescents.

The relationship between major life events and non-suicidal self-injury among college students: the effect of rumination and body image

“…Instead, they may engage in a process of contemplation and recollection, often facilitated by rumination. In cases where negative emotions persist and intensify to a certain degree, there is an increased likelihood of the individual developing non-suicidal self-injury behaviors ( 25 , 51 ).…”

“…Furthermore, a meta-analysis included 46 studies additionally demonstrated that rumination exerted a significant influence on NSSI ( 24 ). Although numerous studies have pointed out that emotions mediate the relationship between major life events and NSSI ( 25 ). There is a limited body of research that examines the role of rumination, which encompasses negative emotions and cognitive functioning, in the relationship between major life events and NSSI.…”

Relationship Between Childhood Trauma and Nonsuicidal Self-Injury Among Adolescents with Depressive Disorder: Mediated by Negative Life Events and Coping Style

“…Individuals with a history of childhood trauma often exhibit a lower capacity for environmental adaptation, demonstrating a relatively lower resilience to negative life events, such individuals experience a higher incidence of negative life events during adulthood, 40 , 41 which are viewed as potential risk factors for adolescent NSSI behaviors. 42 Adolescents are at a turning point in their life development. Since the emergence of COVID-19, social isolation caused by concomitant home isolation, infected family and friends, family economic pressure caused by property loss, uncertainty about the future, and anxiety and fear of infection have had serious negative effects on the physical and mental health of adolescents.…”

Brain alterations in adolescents with first-episode depression who have experienced adverse events: evidence from resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging

“…Adolescence is crucial for psychological growth and is affected by negative events in families, schools, and physical and psychological aspects ( 5 ). These events can directly impact depressive emotions and indirectly influence the emotions by affecting ruminant thinking ( 6 ), particularly in individuals with disruptions to default mode network functional connectivity ( 7 ).…”