Research on the Relationships between Psychological Problems and School Bullying and Non-Suicidal Self-Injury among Rural Primary and Middle School Students in Developing Areas of China.

Xuyang Li,Winter Tucker,Feiyu Chen,Yixiang Lin,Lanyue Cui,Zhaokang Yuan,Zhihui Jia,Jiangyan He

doi:10.3390/ijerph17103371

Abstract

(1) Purpose: To analyze the role of psychological problems in connection with school bullying and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) among rural primary and middle school students in developing areas of China. (2) Methods: A multi-stage, stratified, cluster random sampling method was used to select 2284 rural primary and middle school students in Jiangxi Province for study. Questionnaires regarding the health risk behaviors of children in developing areas were left behind at primary and middle schools, and they were later collected and analyzed by using the mental health diagnostic monitoring scale for Chinese primary and middle school students. Pearson correlation, logistic regression, and bootstrap tests were conducted to analyze the association between psychological problems, school bullying, and NSSI. (3) Results: The incidence of NSSI in rural primary and middle school students in Jiangxi Province was 14.84%. Compared with other children with behavioral problems, those who had experienced school bullying and had mild/severe psychological problems were more likely to have engaged in NSSI behaviors (p < 0.001). Psychological problems have a mediating effect between school bullying and NSSI, which accounted for 12.96% of the total effect. (4) Conclusion: Psychological problems are likely an effect modifier in the connection between school bullying and NSSI behaviors. Therefore, effectively targeting psychological problems in rural primary and middle school students in Jiangxi Province may help prevent and control NSSI behaviors in students who have experienced school bullying.

Highlights

Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is defined as the direct or intentional harm of an individual’s body tissue without a suicidal intention
This study explores the relationship between psychological problems, school bullying, and NSSI, using a small sample of rural primary and middle students in developing areas of China, including the use of school bullying and psychological problems that have become more frequent in recent years in Chinese youth and focusing on the mediating role of psychological problems in the association between school bullying and NSSI behaviors
This study highlights the importance of the link between school bullying, psychological problems, and NSSI among primary and middle school students in rural China

Summary

Introduction

Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is defined as the direct or intentional harm of an individual’s body tissue without a suicidal intention. The common forms of this include beating, cutting, burning, and scratching [1]. This kind of behavior is socially unacceptable and has the characteristic of generally being non-lethal. NSSI is considered a widespread and growing public health problem, especially among adolescents [2]. Studies in Asia [3], Australia [4], Europe [5], and the United States [6]. Have found that among adolescent students, the lifetime prevalence of NSSI is between 10% and. Res. Public Health 2020, 17, 3371; doi:10.3390/ijerph17103371 www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerph

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Discussion

Conclusion