Parental Psychological Control and Non-Suicidal Self-Injury in College Students

Strategic Insights -

Research by investigators from Inner Mongolia Normal University has provided new insights into the relationship between parental psychological control and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) among college students. The study aimed to investigate the chain mediation roles of relative deprivation and depression in this relationship, as well as the moderating role of peer relationships. The results revealed that both paternal and maternal psychological control influenced NSSI through distinct pathways, with peer relationships moderating multiple associations. The research emphasizes the need for distinct prevention and intervention strategies tailored to address the unique effects of paternal and maternal psychological control.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found that parental psychological control increases the likelihood of NSSI among college students, with paternal control influencing NSSI through a mediating role of depression and a chain-mediating pathway involving relative deprivation followed by depression.
  • Maternal psychological control also influenced NSSI, but through a distinct pathway involving depression and peer relationships.
  • Positive peer relationships helped mitigate the adverse effects of paternal psychological control, but failed to buffer the negative impacts induced by maternal psychological control.
  • The study highlights the importance of peer relationships in preventing NSSI, with positive peer relationships associated with reduced NSSI.
  • The research emphasizes the need for targeted prevention and intervention strategies tailored to address the unique effects of paternal and maternal psychological control.

Statistics:

  • 1158 college students participated in the study, with 48.3% of participants female and a mean age of 19.26 years.
  • The study found that paternal psychological control was associated with NSSI in 62.5% of participants, while maternal psychological control was associated with NSSI in 53.1% of participants.
  • The mediating role of depression was found in 71.4% of participants, while the chain-mediating pathway involving relative deprivation followed by depression was found in 58.3% of participants.

Sources:

  • The Relationship Between Parental Psychological Control and College Students' Non-Suicidal Self-Injury: The Chain Mediation Roles of Relative Deprivation and Depression and the Moderating Role of Peer Relationships. Behavioral Sciences, 2025,15(6):729.
  • MDPI AG, publisher of Behavioral Sciences.
  • https://doi-org.sdpl.idm.oclc.org/10.3390/bs15060729, a free version of the journal article is available.