Cyberbullying Victimization on Non-Suicidal Self-Injury Among College Students: A Moderated Mediation Model

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Public Health
• Cyberpsychology

Background:

• Cyberbullying is a growing concern among college students.
• Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a significant mental health issue in this demographic.
• Understanding the psychological factors influencing NSSI is crucial for effective interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the direct and indirect effects of cyberbullying victimization on NSSI in college students.
• To examine the mediating roles of ambivalence over emotional expression and psychological resilience.
• To explore the moderating effect of positive illusion on the cyberbullying-NSSI relationship.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study design.
• Survey administered to 683 college students in Yunnan Province, China.
• Utilized validated questionnaires for cyberbullying, emotional expression ambivalence, resilience, NSSI, and positive illusion.

Main Results:

• Cyberbullying victimization, emotional expression ambivalence, and NSSI were positively correlated; resilience was negatively correlated.
• Cyberbullying victimization directly predicted NSSI.
• Ambivalence over emotional expression and psychological resilience acted as sequential mediators between cyberbullying and NSSI.
• Positive illusion moderated the relationship, amplifying the impact of cyberbullying on NSSI.

Conclusions:

• The pathway from cyberbullying to NSSI is mediated by emotional expression ambivalence and resilience.
• Positive illusion exacerbates the link between cyberbullying victimization and NSSI.
• Findings provide a theoretical basis for developing targeted psychological interventions for college students experiencing cyberbullying and NSSI.