The association between self-concept, self-concept clarity, and self-injurious thoughts and behaviors (SI, SA, and NSSI): A three-level meta-analysis

IF 3.6 2区医学 Q1 PSYCHIATRY

Journal of psychiatric research Pub Date : 2026-04-01 Epub Date: 2026-01-16 DOI:10.1016/j.jpsychires.2026.01.024

CongYuan Liao , Yi Hou , DongKui Li , Dong Yang , Ying Li

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background

Self-injurious thoughts and behaviors (SITBs), including suicidal ideation (SI), suicide attempts (SA), and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), pose a significant global public health challenge. This meta-analysis examines the relationship between self-concept, self-concept clarity, and SITBs. Although prior research suggests associations between self-concept, self-concept clarity, and SITBs, the strength and direction of these relationships remain inconsistent.

Methods

This meta-analysis synthesized effect sizes from studies in PubMed, PsycInfo, and Web of Science, using a three-level meta-analytic model to examine associations between self-concept, self-concept clarity, and SITBs.

Results

A total of 33 studies with 113 effect sizes (N = 23,772) were analyzed. Significant negative correlations were found between self-concept and suicidal ideation (r = −0.234), and suicide attempts (r = −0.194). The correlation with NSSI (r = −0.258) was not stable. Significant heterogeneity was present, but no significant moderators were found. No publication bias was identified. Self-concept clarity was negatively associated with suicidal ideation (r = −0.295) and NSSI (r = −0.257). The association with suicide attempts (r = −0.244) was inconclusive. The results for self-concept clarity should be considered exploratory, and no publication bias, sensitivity, or moderator tests were conducted due to the limited number of effect sizes.

Conclusion

This meta-analysis highlights some significant, albeit small, negative associations between self-concept, self-concept clarity, and SITBs. However, due to the limited number of studies and effect sizes, some results should be considered exploratory. Future research should explore potential mediating and moderating factors and examine longitudinal relationships to better understand the causal pathways.

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自我概念、自我概念清晰与自伤思想和行为（自伤、自伤和自伤）的关系：一个三层次元分析

自伤思想和行为（SITBs），包括自杀意念（SI）、自杀企图（SA）和非自杀性自伤（NSSI），构成了一个重大的全球公共卫生挑战。本荟萃分析考察了自我概念、自我概念清晰度和sitb之间的关系。尽管先前的研究表明自我概念、自我概念清晰度和sitb之间存在关联，但这些关系的强度和方向仍然不一致。方法本荟萃分析综合了PubMed、PsycInfo和Web of Science研究的效应量，使用三级荟萃分析模型来检验自我概念、自我概念清晰度和sitb之间的关系。结果共分析33项研究，113个效应量（N = 23,772）。自我概念与自杀意念（r = - 0.234）、自杀企图（r = - 0.194）呈显著负相关。与自伤的相关性（r = - 0.258）不稳定。存在显著异质性，但未发现显著调节因子。未发现发表偏倚。自我概念清晰度与自杀意念（r = - 0.295）和自伤（r = - 0.257）呈负相关。与自杀企图的关系（r = - 0.244）尚无定论。自我概念清晰度的结果应该被认为是探索性的，由于效应量的数量有限，没有进行发表偏倚、敏感性或调节试验。结论：本荟萃分析强调了自我概念、自我概念清晰度和sitb之间的一些显著的负相关关系。然而，由于研究数量和效应量有限，一些结果应该被认为是探索性的。未来的研究应探索潜在的中介和调节因素，并检查纵向关系，以更好地了解因果途径。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Journal of psychiatric research 医学-精神病学

CiteScore

7.30

自引率

2.10%

发文量

622

审稿时长

130 days

期刊介绍： Founded in 1961 to report on the latest work in psychiatry and cognate disciplines, the Journal of Psychiatric Research is dedicated to innovative and timely studies of four important areas of research: (1) clinical studies of all disciplines relating to psychiatric illness, as well as normal human behaviour, including biochemical, physiological, genetic, environmental, social, psychological and epidemiological factors; (2) basic studies pertaining to psychiatry in such fields as neuropsychopharmacology, neuroendocrinology, electrophysiology, genetics, experimental psychology and epidemiology; (3) the growing application of clinical laboratory techniques in psychiatry, including imagery and spectroscopy of the brain, molecular biology and computer sciences;