Network structure of psychological resilience, cognitive reappraisal, and social problem-solving in relation to non-suicidal self-injury in a sample of Chinese university freshmen.

Abstract

Objective: Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is prevalent among university students and represents a critical public health concern. This cross-sectional study investigated the prevalence of NSSI and its associated factors among freshmen at a university in central China. Using network analysis, we further examined the interrelationships among NSSI and three protective psychological constructs: resilience, cognitive reappraisal, and social problem-solving.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 3616 freshmen. After data screening, 2862 valid responses were included in the final analysis. Participants completed validated scales measuring NSSI, cognitive reappraisal, psychological resilience, and social problem-solving. SPSS 27.0 was used to perform logistic regression and group comparisons. Network analysis was performed in R to examine the interrelations and centrality of psychological constructs.

Results: The prevalence of NSSI among freshmen was 24.1%. Psychological resilience, cognitive reappraisal, and social problem-solving ability showed a significant stepwise decrease across NSSI severity groups (p < 0.001). Logistic regression showed that cognitive reappraisal, psychological resilience, social problem-solving ability, and rural household registration were negatively associated with NSSI, whereas male gender was positively associated with NSSI. Network analysis further revealed that cognitive reappraisal exhibited relatively high betweenness centrality within the network comprising resilience and social problem-solving subsystems. Within this network, toughness, strength, and avoidant problem-solving showed the highest node strength, whereas strength and negative problem orientation exhibited elevated betweenness centrality.

Limitations: The cross-sectional design and the single-institution sample preclude causal inferences and limit the generalizability of the present findings.

Conclusion: Cognitive reappraisal, psychological resilience, and social problem-solving ability were independently and negatively correlated with NSSI severity. Network analysis provided complementary insights into the structural relationships among these variables, identifying cognitive reappraisal as a central node within this network.