Yin Fei, Jiang Wenlong, Huo Shuhui, Jin Xi, Li Mengtian, Liu Li, Cao Jianqin
School of Nursing, Harin Medical University, Harin, China.
Psychiatry Department, The Third People' Hospital of Daqing, Daqing, China.
BMC Psychiatry. 2025 Apr 10;25(1):365. doi: 10.1186/s12888-025-06803-6.
Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) poses a significant public health concern, characterized by its high prevalence, recurrence, and association with suicide. While prior research has identified a connection between negative life events (NLEs) and NSSI, only a few studies have longitudinally explored this relation and its underlying mechanisms.
Our study investigated the longitudinal association between NLEs and NSSI among Chinese college students. We also examined the mediating role of rumination and emotional regulation difficulties, as well as the moderating role of sex.
We recruited 4892 students from six colleges in northern China. We assessed NLEs, NSSI, rumination, and emotional regulation difficulties at baseline (T1) and after a 1-year follow-up (T2).
The longitudinal moderated mediation model revealed that early NLEs exerted significant direct predictive effects on later NSSI and indirect predictive effects on NSSI through the independent mediation of rumination and emotional regulation difficulties, as well as a chain mediating effect through them. The first stage (predicting the effect of NLEs on NSSI) and second stage (predicting the effect of NLEs on rumination) were moderated by sex.
Our findings underscore the importance of considering recent stressors in assessing risks and implementing interventions for college students involved in NSSI. Mental health professionals should prioritize helping students develop emotional regulation skills and reduce rumination while being mindful of sex differences.
非自杀性自伤行为（NSSI）是一个重大的公共卫生问题，其特点是患病率高、复发率高且与自杀有关。虽然先前的研究已经确定了负面生活事件（NLEs）与NSSI之间的联系，但只有少数研究纵向探讨了这种关系及其潜在机制。
我们的研究调查了中国大学生中NLEs与NSSI之间的纵向关联。我们还考察了沉思和情绪调节困难的中介作用以及性别的调节作用。
我们从中国北方六所高校招募了4892名学生。我们在基线（T1）和1年随访后（T2）评估了NLEs、NSSI、沉思和情绪调节困难情况。
纵向调节中介模型显示，早期的NLEs对后期的NSSI有显著的直接预测作用，通过沉思和情绪调节困难的独立中介作用对NSSI有间接预测作用，以及通过它们的链式中介作用。第一阶段（预测NLEs对NSSI的影响）和第二阶段（预测NLEs对沉思的影响）受性别调节。
我们的研究结果强调了在评估风险和对参与NSSI的大学生实施干预措施时考虑近期压力源的重要性。心理健康专业人员应优先帮助学生培养情绪调节技能并减少沉思，同时注意性别差异。
