Maladaptive perfectionism and adolescent NSSI: A moderated mediation model of psychological distress and mindfulness

Introjected regulation and academic burnout: A moderated mediation model of social comparison and distress overtolerance

The primary purpose of this study is to examine the mediation effect of Contrastive Upward Comparison (CUC) on the relationship between introjected regulation and exhaustion (i.e., introjected regulation-CUC-exhaustion). It is also aimed to examine the moderation effect of distress overtolerance on this mediated relationship. In order to resolve the uncertainty about the causality of cross-sectional studies, this study worked on the relationship among the variables by setting an alternative model (i.e., CUC-introjected regulation - exhaustion). The participants were 167 (females, 70.7%) undergraduate and graduate students in South Korea. The results of this study indicated that introjected regulation showed indirect and significant effect on exhaustion via CUC. However, in the alternative model, the indirect effect of introjected regulation in the relationship between CUC and exhaustion was not significant. Furthermore, high distress overtolerance buffered the relationship between introjected regulation and CUC, while it strengthened the association of CUC and exhaustion. Lastly, the results of moderated mediation suggested that students with higher distress overtolerance, experienced more CUC, and emotional exhaustion. The implications and limitations were also discussed.

The Association between Nonsuicidal Self-Injury and Perfectionism in Adolescence: The Role of Mental Disorders

Previous evidence has drawn attention to the fact that maladaptive perfectionism is a risk factor for engagement in nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI). Until now, few studies have examined this topic, especially among community adolescents. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between perfectionism dimensions and NSSI functions to examine the potential mediating effect of mental disorders. Altogether, 146 Hungarian community adolescents (ages 13-18 years) were involved. All participants completed the Hungarian adaptation of the Inventory of Statements about Self-Injury (ISAS), the Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (FMPS), and the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview Kid. To analyse the interrelationships among NSSI, perfectionism, and mental disorders, we conducted regression and network analysis. Of the 146 adolescents, 90 (61.64%, girls: 71.11%) engaged in NSSI. The Concern over Mistakes and Doubts about Action scales of the FMPS significantly and positively predicted both NSSI intrapersonal and interpersonal motivation, with comparable effect sizes, and this association was fully mediated by anxiety disorders. There was a significant direct negative relationship between the FMPS Organisation dimension and both main NSSI functions. This study draws attention to an increasing trend and the extremely high NSSI prevalence rate among community adolescents. Adolescents with perfectionistic concerns are at heightened risk for anxiety disorders, which can increase their vulnerability to NSSI engagement.

The role of depressive symptoms and social support in the association of internet addiction with non-suicidal self-injury among adolescents: a cohort study in China

BACKGROUND

Both internet addiction (IA) and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) are major public health concerns among adolescents, however, the association between IA and NSSI was not well understood. We aimed to investigate the association between IA and NSSI within a cohort study, and explore the mediated effect of depressive symptoms and the moderating effect of social support in the association.

METHODS

A total of 1530 adolescents aged 11-14 years who completed both the baseline (T1) and 14-month follow-up (T2) survey of the Chinese Adolescent Health Growth Cohort were included for the current analysis. IA, NSSI, depressive symptoms and social support were measured at T1; depressive symptoms and NSSI were measured again at T2. Structural equation models were employed to estimate the mediated effect of depressive symptoms and the moderating effect of social support in the association between IA and NSSI at T2.

RESULTS

IA was independently associated with an increased risk of NSSI at T2, with the total effect of 0.113 (95%CI 0.055-0.174). Depressive symptoms mediated the association between IA and NSSI at T2, and social support moderated the indirect but not the direct effect of IA on NSSI at T2. Sex differences were found on the mediated effect of depressive symptoms and the moderated mediation effect of social support.

CONCLUSIONS

Interventions that target adolescents' NSSI who also struggle with IA may need to focus on reducing depressive symptoms and elevating social support.

Harsh parenting and adolescent non-suicidal self-injury: A moderated mediation model of alienation and cognitive reappraisal

OBJECTIVE

Harsh parenting has been shown to be associated with non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) in adolescents. Based on the integrated theoretical model of the development of NSSI and the cognitive-emotional model of NSSI, we proposed a moderated mediation model to investigate "how" and "when" harsh parenting is associated with adolescent NSSI. Specifically, we tested whether feelings of alienation mediated the association between harsh parenting and NSSI, and whether this indirect effect was weakened by cognitive reappraisal as an adaptive emotion regulation strategy.

METHODS

A total of 1638 Chinese adolescents (54.7 % girls; ages 12-19 years) completed self-report questionnaires in their classrooms. The questionnaires assessed harsh parenting, feelings of alienation, cognitive reappraisal skills, and incidents of NSSI.

RESULTS

Path analyses showed that harsh parenting positively predicted NSSI, and alienation mediated this association. Both the direct effect of harsh parenting on NSSI and the indirect effect through alienation were moderated by cognitive reappraisal. Specifically, cognitive reappraisal skills weakened the direct and indirect associations between harsh parenting and NSSI.

CONCLUSIONS

Adolescents may benefit from interventions that decrease feelings of alienation and increase cognitive reappraisal strategies to reduce the risk of NSSI in the context of harsh parenting.

Peer Victimization and Adolescent Non-Suicidal Self-Injury: The Mediating Role of Alienation and Moderating Role of Mindfulness

Peer victimization and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) are two major public health problems, with the former being associated with outward attack and the latter characterizing inward attack. Peer victimization has been shown to be associated with adolescents' NSSI. However, less is known about the mechanism underlying the association. Based on the experiential avoidance model of NSSI, this study tested whether the sense of alienation mediated the association between peer victimization and NSSI, and whether this process was weakened by mindfulness. A total of 1,574 Chinese adolescents (51.1% girls; ages 12-16 years) completed questionnaires concerning NSSI, peer victimization, alienation, and mindfulness. Regression-based analyses indicated that peer victimization predicted adolescents' NSSI through the indirect effect of alienation, and mindfulness weakened this indirect effect. These findings suggest that victimized adolescents may injure themselves as an emotion regulation strategy. The results highlight the importance to implement programs aimed to improve the school climate to reduce the risk of adolescent NSSI. Furthermore, we underscore the need to include emotion-regulation training (e.g., mindful practice) into bully intervention programs to prevent NSSI.