Longitudinal association of mindfulness with aggression and non-suicidal self-injury in adolescence: The mediating role of shame-proneness.

Abstract

The aim of the current study was to investigate the longitudinal association of facets of mindfulness with aggression and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) among adolescents and to explore whether shame-proneness can mediate the longitudinal association.The present longitudinal study investigated the associations between mindfulness, aggression, and NSSIin a sample of 706 Chinese adolescents (M = 15.33; SD = 1.34; 50.20% girls). Five facet mindfulness questionnaire was completed at baseline and middle school students'shame scale was completed at 6-month follow-up. The Chinese version of Buss-Perry aggression questionnaire and adolescents'self-harm scale werecompleted at both baseline and 6-month follow-up.Shame-proneness significantly mediated the longitudinal association between (a) describing and aggression (-0.107, 95% CI: [-0.151 to -0.067]),and NSSI (-0.041, 95% CI: [-0.069to-0.019]). (b) Acting with awareness and aggression (-0.094, 95% CI: [-0.139to-0.061]), and NSSI (-0.036, 95% CI: [-0.062to-0.016]). (c) Nonjudging and aggression (-0.062, 95% CI: [-0.107to-0.024]) and NSSI (-0.024, 95% CI: [-0.047to-0.008]).Describing, acting with awareness, and nonjudging were predictive factors of aggression and self-injury in adolescents, and shame-proneness played a crucial role in the negative longitudinal association between them. Findings from the current study may offer some implications in the domains of clinical practice and education to improve mental health and further ameliorate the misbehavior among adolescents.