The study explored the complex relationship between family dysfunction, depressive symptoms, and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) among Chinese college students, highlighting how these factors interweave to influence mental health outcomes. The research specifically aimed to understand whether depressive symptoms serve as a mediator between family dysfunction and NSSI and whether self-compassion may serve as a protective factor, moderating these relationships.
Family dysfunction, which includes a range of issues such as poor communication, lack of emotional support, and conflict within the family, was found to have a direct impact on depressive symptoms among the students. These depressive symptoms, in turn, were strongly associated with an increased likelihood of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) a behavior often used by individuals as a way to cope with emotional pain or distress, it includes behavior like cutting, biting, hitting, carving, and scratching
However, the study’s findings provide a positive perspective by identifying self-compassion as a significant moderator in this relationship. Self-compassion, which encompasses treating oneself with kindness and understanding during challenging times, acknowledging one’s struggles as part of the shared human experience, and maintaining a balanced awareness of emotions, was shown to weaken the negative effects of family dysfunction on depressive symptoms. Notably, it also diminishes the likelihood that depressive symptoms will progress to NSSI (non-suicidal self-injury).
The study suggests that while family dysfunction may lead to serious mental health challenges, cultivating self-compassion in individuals could be a vital intervention strategy to mitigate these risks. Promoting self-compassion may play a crucial protective role in reducing the incidence of NSSI among college students who experience family-related stress and depressive symptoms. These findings emphasize the importance of integrating self-compassion training into mental health interventions, especially for young adults dealing with difficult family dynamics.