Different influence paths of peer victimization and cybervictimization on non-suicidal self-injury: a longitudinal moderated mediation model

Peer victimization and cybervictimization are the risk factors for non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI). The current study used a longitudinal design to investigated the mediating effect of frustrated interpersonal needs (i.e., thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness) and the moderating effect of dark personality traits (DPT) on the relationship between peer victimization/ cybervictimization and NSSI. A total of 1402 Chinese adolescents (47.9% girls; age: M = 13.28 years, SD = 0.72 at T1) completed the two-wave measurement. The results showed that perceived burdensomeness acted as a mediator between peer victimization and NSSI, while thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness played a chain-mediating role in this relationship. Moreover, DPT could foster the negative effects of peer victimization on NSSI. However, frustrated interpersonal needs could not mediate the relationship between cybervictimization and NSSI. Our finding highlight the role of frustrated interpersonal needs and DPT in the development of peer victimization and cybervictimization to NSSI.