The relationship between body image dissatisfaction, shame, and non-suicidal self-injury among Chinese adolescents: A 1-year longitudinal study
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Updated: Jun 14, 2025

Validation of a Psychosocial Intervention on Body Image in Older People: An Experimental Design
Published on: May 31, 2021
Cheng Chen1, Fangfang Chen2, Qingsong Sang1
1School of Educational Science, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, Anhui Province 241000, China.
Background:
Prior research has established a relationship between body image dissatisfaction, shame, and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI). However, previous studies have predominantly employed cross-sectional designs, leaving the longitudinal associations among body image dissatisfaction, shame, and NSSI, as well as the mechanisms underlying this association, unclear. This study aimed to employ a longitudinal design to examine the relationships and potential mediating effects of body image dissatisfaction, shame, and NSSI in adolescents.
Method:
A total of 697 adolescents were recruited for this study. The study employed a longitudinal design spanning 12 months. Data were collected in three waves (Time 1 to Time 3), each separated by a period of six months. The cross-lagged panel model and latent growth model were utilized to explore the relationships between body image dissatisfaction, shame, and NSSI.
Results:
The results revealed that both the intercept and slope of body image dissatisfaction and shame significantly predicted the corresponding intercept and slope of NSSI, respectively. Furthermore, body image dissatisfaction and shame stably and positively predicted adolescent NSSI at the subsequent time point. Additionally, body image dissatisfaction significantly influenced NSSI through the mediating effect of shame.
Limitations:
The generalizability of the findings may be limited due to the sample being composed of adolescents from schools in China.
Conclusions:
Body image dissatisfaction and shame had the co-developmental processes with NSSI. Body image dissatisfaction and shame stably predicted subsequent NSSI among adolescents. Furthermore, body image dissatisfaction significantly influenced NSSI through the mediating effect of shame.
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