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Non-suicidal self-injury in Chinese adolescents with problematic smartphone use: A one-year longitudinal study

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  • Lin, Shuang
  • Li, Yongjian
  • Sheng, Jing
  • Chen, Lijun
  • Zhang, Yuzhi
  • Chen, Jun

Abstract

Although existing studies indicated associations between problematic smartphone use (PSU) and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) behaviors, its relationship with anxiety and depression, as well as rumination remains unclear. The current study used a three-wave longitudinal design to investigate anxiety and depression as potential mediators and rumination as a prospective moderator in the relationship between PSU and NSSI among Chinese adolescents. The sample comprised 1368 adolescents (60 % male; Mage = 15.05 years, SD = 0.85 at baseline), who completed self-report assessments of PSU, NSSI, anxiety and depression, and rumination across three distinct timepoints (T1, T2, and T3), with six-month intervals between waves. Results from the longitudinal moderated mediation model demonstrated that PSU is associated with NSSI through exacerbating anxiety and depression over time. Furthermore, rumination strengthened the longitudinal associations between PSU, anxiety and depression, and NSSI; specifically, a stronger correlation between PSU and NSSI via anxiety and depression for adolescents with high rumination than those with low rumination. These findings suggest that fostering adaptive emotion-regulating strategies and positive coping mechanisms could be key in preventing NSSI among individuals with problematic smartphone use.

Suggested Citation

  • Lin, Shuang & Li, Yongjian & Sheng, Jing & Chen, Lijun & Zhang, Yuzhi & Chen, Jun, 2025. "Non-suicidal self-injury in Chinese adolescents with problematic smartphone use: A one-year longitudinal study," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 169(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:169:y:2025:i:c:s019074092400673x
    DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2024.108101
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Bai, Chen & Chen, Xiaomeng & Han, Keqing, 2020. "Mobile phone addiction and school performance among Chinese adolescents from low-income families: A moderated mediation model," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 118(C).
    2. Xiao-Wei Chu & Cui-Ying Fan & Qing-Qi Liu & Zong-Kui Zhou, 2019. "Rumination Mediates and Moderates the Relationship between Bullying Victimization and Depressive Symptoms in Chinese Early Adolescents," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 12(5), pages 1549-1566, October.
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