The Effect of Loneliness on Non-Suicidal Self-Injury Behavior in Chinese Junior High School Adolescents: A Moderated Mediation Model

PURPOSE: This study explore the interaction between loneliness and non-suicidal self-injury behaviors (hereinafter “NSSI”), and to further examine the mediating role of self-control and the moderating role of social connection. METHODS: A total of 414 junior high school students (age 14.05±0.84) in Sichuan province in China were investigated on their loneliness, self-control, social connection and NSSI by questionnaire. RESULTS: (1) there was a significant positive correlation between loneliness and NSSI; (2) self-control played a mediating role in the relationship between loneliness and NSSI; and (3) after controlling for gender, family structure, and family economic level, the social connectedness played a moderating role in the relationship between loneliness and NSSI, as well as between self-control and NSSI. CONCLUSION: The results verify the relationship between loneliness and NSSI, expands and deepens the internal logical relationship between them, and provides a reference that can be used in the future for the prevention and intervention of NSSI in adolescents.