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.
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.
HIGHLIGHTS
AUTHOR CONTRIBUTIONS
Xinglin Zhou conceived of the study, conducted the statistical analysis and drafted the manuscript; Jiaqi Guo participated in the design of the study and helped revise the manuscript; Huijiao Wu, Danrui Chen participated in data collection and managed the literature searches; Chuhan Wang managed the literature searches and checked the manuscript; Jianing You participated in the design of the study and helped revise the manuscript. All authors contributed to and have approved the final manuscript.
DISCLOSURE STATEMENT
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Additional information
Funding
Notes on contributors
Xinglin Zhou
Xinglin Zhou, Master, Jiaqi Guo, Dr., Huijiao Wu, Master, Danrui Chen, Master, Chuhan Wang, Master, and Jianing You, Prof., South China Normal University, Center for Studies of Psychological Application & School of Psychology, Guangzhou, China.
Jiaqi Guo
Xinglin Zhou, Master, Jiaqi Guo, Dr., Huijiao Wu, Master, Danrui Chen, Master, Chuhan Wang, Master, and Jianing You, Prof., South China Normal University, Center for Studies of Psychological Application & School of Psychology, Guangzhou, China.
Huijiao Wu
Xinglin Zhou, Master, Jiaqi Guo, Dr., Huijiao Wu, Master, Danrui Chen, Master, Chuhan Wang, Master, and Jianing You, Prof., South China Normal University, Center for Studies of Psychological Application & School of Psychology, Guangzhou, China.
Danrui Chen
Xinglin Zhou, Master, Jiaqi Guo, Dr., Huijiao Wu, Master, Danrui Chen, Master, Chuhan Wang, Master, and Jianing You, Prof., South China Normal University, Center for Studies of Psychological Application & School of Psychology, Guangzhou, China.
Chuhan Wang
Xinglin Zhou, Master, Jiaqi Guo, Dr., Huijiao Wu, Master, Danrui Chen, Master, Chuhan Wang, Master, and Jianing You, Prof., South China Normal University, Center for Studies of Psychological Application & School of Psychology, Guangzhou, China.
Jianing You
Xinglin Zhou, Master, Jiaqi Guo, Dr., Huijiao Wu, Master, Danrui Chen, Master, Chuhan Wang, Master, and Jianing You, Prof., South China Normal University, Center for Studies of Psychological Application & School of Psychology, Guangzhou, China.