Association of parent-child relationship quality and problematic mobile phone use with non-suicidal self-injury among adolescents

Authors：Huiqiong Xu, Wan Xiao, Yang Xie, Shaojun Xu, Yuhui Wan, Fangbiao Tao

Source：BMC Psychiatry. 2023 May 1;23(1):304

DOI: 10.1186/s12888-023-04786-w

Abstract：

Background: Non-suicidal self-injury behavior (NSSI) is a common mental health threat among adolescents. Poor parent-child relationship (PCR) and problematic mobile phone use (PMPU) are risk factors for NSSI. We aimed to explore the impact of PCR quality, PMPU, and their interaction effects on NSSI among adolescents in China, as well as the sex difference.

Method: A survey was conducted among school students in 4 provinces in China between 2017 and 2018. The study included 14,500 valid participants. The students' general demographic characteristics was collected, and further data on PCR quality, PMPU, and NSSI were obtained through self-rated questionnaire. Chi-square test, binomial logistic regression models, and the Andersson Excel were used for data analysis.

Results: The 12-month prevalence of NSSI was 27.3%. Lower PCR quality and PMPU were significantly associated with NSSI, respectively. The low PCR + yes PMPU group had the greatest association with NSSI, followed by the high PCR + yes PMPU group, low PCR + no PMPU group. Moreover, in low father-child relationship + yes PMPU group, females had a higher risk of NSSI than males; in high mother-child relationship + yes PMPU group, females had a higher risk of NSSI than males. Additive interaction analysis indicated that mother-child relationship quality and PMPU were associated with increased risks of NSSI, in the subgroup of males.

Conclusions: The findings underline the importance of simultaneously studying the quality of PCR and PMPU for a comprehensive understanding of NSSI behavior, and especially highlights the significance of maternal relationship quality.

Keywords: Adolescents; Non-suicidal self-injury; Parent-child relationship; Problematic mobile phone use; Sex.

 中文摘要：

背景：非自杀性自残行为（NSSI）是青少年常见的心理健康威胁。亲子关系差（PCR）和手机使用问题（PMPU）是NSSI的危险因素。本文旨在探讨PCR质量、PMPU及其相互作用对我国青少年NSSI的影响以及性别差异。

方法： 2017年至2018年间，对中国4个省份的在校学生进行了调查。该研究包括14，500名有效参与者。收集学生的一般人口统计学特征，并通过自评问卷获得PCR质量，PMPU和NSSI的进一步数据。采用卡方检验、二项式逻辑回归模型和Andersson Excel进行数据分析。

结果： NSSI的12个月患病率为27.3%。较低的PCR质量和PMPU分别与NSSI显著相关。低PCR+是PMPU组与NSSI的相关性最大，其次是高PCR+是PMPU组，低PCR+无PMPU组。此外，在低父子关系+是PMPU组中，女性发生NSSI的风险高于男性；在高母子关系+是PMPU组中，女性患NSSI的风险高于男性。加互作用分析表明，在男性亚组中，母子关系质量和PMPU与NSSI风险增加有关。

结论：研究结果强调了同时研究PCR和PMPU质量对于全面了解NSSI行为的重要性，并特别强调了母体关系质量的重要性。

关键字：青少年；非自杀性自伤；亲子关系；手机使用问题；性别。