Psychology Research and Behavior Management (May 2023)
The Effect of Loneliness on Non-Suicidal Self-Injury Behavior in Chinese Junior High School Adolescents: A Moderated Mediation Model
Abstract
Xuefang Huang,1 Huaqiang Liu,2 Zhensong Lan,3 Fafang Deng3 1School of Teacher Education, Hechi University, Yizhou, 546300, People’s Republic of China; 2School of Law and Public Administration, Yibin University, Yibin, 644000, People’s Republic of China; 3School of Public Administrations, Hechi University, Yizhou, 546300, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Huaqiang Liu, Yibin University, 8 Jiusheng Road, Cuiping District, Yibin, Sichuan, 644000, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86 13060000980, Email [email protected]: This study explore the interaction between loneliness and non-suicidal self-injury behaviors (hereinafter “NSSI”), and to further examine the mediating role of self-control and the moderating role of social connection.Methods: A total of 414 junior high school students (age 14.05± 0.84) in Sichuan province in China were investigated on their loneliness, self-control, social connection and NSSI by questionnaire.Results: (1) there was a significant positive correlation between loneliness and NSSI; (2) self-control played a mediating role in the relationship between loneliness and NSSI; and (3) after controlling for gender, family structure, and family economic level, the social connectedness played a moderating role in the relationship between loneliness and NSSI, as well as between self-control and NSSI.Conclusion: The results verify the relationship between loneliness and NSSI, expands and deepens the internal logical relationship between them, and provides a reference that can be used in the future for the prevention and intervention of NSSI in adolescents.Keywords: adolescents, loneliness, non-suicidal self-injury behavior, NSSI, self-control, social connection, high school students
