Citation

Zhou X, Guo J, Wu H, Chen D, Wang C, You J. Arch. Suicide Res. 2022; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2022, International Academy of Suicide Research, Publisher Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/13811118.2022.2134068

PMID

36282550

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) has become a significant mental health concern for adolescents. Previous empirical studies have shown that ambivalence over emotional expression is positively associated with negative emotions and behaviors. However, little is known about the relationship between ambivalence over emotional expression and NSSI among adolescents. Therefore, this study used a longitudinal design to examine the relationship between ambivalence over emotional expression and NSSI among Chinese adolescents, and also to explore the mediating and moderating mechanisms underlying this relationship.

METHOD: A total of 1,672 students (45.8% males; Mage = 16.12 years, SD = 1.56) in a middle school in Guangzhou were tracked. The investigation was conducted twice, with an interval of 6 months.

RESULTS: Ambivalence over emotional expression was positively correlated with NSSI. After controlling for gender and baseline NSSI, anxiety symptoms fully mediated the association between ambivalence over emotional expression and NSSI. In addition, the relationship between ambivalence over emotional expression and NSSI was moderated by NSSI refusal self-efficacy.

CONCLUSIONS: These findings imply that to decrease ambivalence over emotional expression, to reduce anxiety symptoms, and to promote NSSI refusal self-efficacy may be useful for interventions and preventions of NSSI.

HIGHLIGHTS: Tested the relationship between ambivalence over emotional expression and NSSI in adolescents.Examined a moderated-mediation model over six months.Found the mediated effect of anxiety symptoms and moderated effect of NSSI refusal self-efficacy in the relationship between ambivalence over emotional expression and NSSI.

Language: en

Keywords

Adolescents; ambivalence over emotional expression; anxiety symptoms; nonsuicidal self-injury; NSSI refusal self-efficacy