Associations between parenting styles and non-suicidal self-injury in children aged 10-12: the mediating role of negative attentional biases and emotional symptoms

Abstract

Abstract Background: Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) in children aged 10-12 is often associated with increased suicide risk and more severe clinical presentation, yet research on the mechanisms and factors influencing NSSI in this group is extremely limited. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between parenting styles and non-suicidal self-injury in children aged 10-12, and to further explore the mediating role of negative attentional bias and emotional symptoms in this context. Methods: A total of 1452 children from eight primary schools in Tianjin, China, were surveyed using handy sampling and assessed for NSSI, emotional and behavioural problems by self-report and parent report. Logistic regression was used to examine the effects of parenting style, negative attentional bias, and emotional symptoms on NSSI. Chained mediation model analyses were conducted using the PROCESS macro program developed by Hayes. Results: The detection rate of self-injury in children aged 10-12 was 23.8% (346/1452); Verbosity was significantly positively correlated (r = 0.06, p < 0.05); and there was a significant positive correlation between children's self-injurious behaviour and students' self-rated emotional symptoms (r = 0.238, p < 0.001) and parents' rated emotional symptoms (r = 0.119, p < 0.001). Negative attentional bias and mood symptoms play a chain-mediated role in the relationship between Verbosity and NSSI. Limitations: All survey methods were self-reported and recall bias may have affected the responses. Causality cannot be inferred in a cross-sectional study. Conclusion: Verbosity was found to indirectly influence NSSI behaviour through children's negative attentional bias and emotional symptoms.