The Predictive Effect of Depression on Self-Injury: Positive Youth Development as a Moderator

Abstract While findings have documented the association between adolescent depression and self-injury, few studies investigated moderating effect of positive youth development (PYD) qualities on association. This study examined concurrent longitudinal predictive effects PYD nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) suicidal (SSI) among Chinese adolescents. The were also studied. Two waves data with an approximate 6-month interval collected from five primary secondary schools in Chengdu, China. A total 6,948 adolescents aged 10 to 16 ( M age = 12.91, SD 1.69 at first wave, 51.17% boys) formed working sample. Latent moderated structural equation modeling revealed that was a predictor both NSSI SSI whereas showed adverse effects. latent interaction significant cross-sectional models, mitigating SSI. results suggest did not only directly reduce risk but attenuated influence self-injury. These provide additional evidence for protective role imply improving may be promising way prevent treat