Cross-sectional study of cybervictimisation and non-suicidal self-injury among college students in China: a chain mediation effect of emotion dysregulation and social exclusion

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to elucidate the relationship between cybervictimisation and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) behaviours among college students in China, with a particular focus on the mediating roles of emotion dysregulation and social exclusion.

Design: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among a convenience sample of college students.

Setting: The study was performed among college students from public universities in Hunan Province, China, between October 26 and November 26, 2023.

Participants: A total of 1467 college students aged 19.52±1.16 years participated in the survey.

Outcome measures: Data were collected through an online questionnaire that included a general information form, the Ottawa Self-Injury Inventory, the Brief Cyberbullying and Cybervictimisation Scale, the Social Exclusion Questionnaire for Chinese Undergraduates and the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale.

Results: The study sample consisted of 1467 college students, with a mean age of 19.52±1.16 years. Pearson's correlation analysis revealed significant positive correlations between NSSI behaviours and cybervictimisation (r=0.58, p<0.01), social exclusion (r=0.64, p<0.01) and emotion dysregulation (r=0.69, p<0.01). Multivariate regression analysis identified significant predictors of NSSI behaviours, including gender (β=0.06, p<0.05), being a left-behind child (β=-0.20, p<0.05), being the only child (β=0.07, p<0.05), cybervictimisation (β=0.32, p<0.001), emotion dysregulation (β=0.41, p<0.001) and social exclusion (β=0.15, p<0.001). Mediation effect analysis revealed a chain mediation effect where cybervictimisation influenced NSSI behaviours through the mediating roles of emotion dysregulation and subsequent social exclusion (all p<0.001).

Conclusions: This study confirms previous research by highlighting the positive relationship between cybervictimisation and NSSI behaviours, and advances the field by identifying a chain mediation effect involving emotion dysregulation and social exclusion among this relationship. These findings highlight the critical need to incorporate strategies for managing both emotion dysregulation and social exclusion in the prevention and intervention of NSSI behaviours among adolescents exposed to cybervictimisation.

Keywords: Adolescents; Behaviour; MENTAL HEALTH.

Figure 1. A sequential mediation model of cybervictimisation and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) behaviours.