The Serial Mediating Role of Shame-Proneness and Depressive Symptoms on the Relationship Between Perceived Family Invalidation and Non-Suicidal Self-Injury Among Adolescents

Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a significant global public health concern among adolescents. Prior research has confirmed the importance of perceived family invalidation in contributing to NSSI engagement. However, the mechanism underlying this association remains unclear. The current study hypothesized that perceived family invalidation would be associated with NSSI through a serial mediation pathway via shame-proneness and depressive symptoms. A sample of 3,875 Chinese adolescents from 12 to 18 years old (<i>M_age</i> = 14.43, <i>SD</i> = 1.38, 50.8% females) completed self-report questionnaires with outcome variables of perceived family invalidation, shame-proneness, depressive symptoms, and NSSI. Results showed that the prevalence of lifetime NSSI was 13.6%. Perceived family invalidation, shame-proneness, and depressive symptoms were all positively correlated with NSSI. The mean scores of all variables in the NSSI group were significantly higher than the non-NSSI group. The association between perceived family invalidation and NSSI was not directly mediated by shame-proneness. Still, it was mediated by depressive symptoms, while this link was also serially mediated by shame-proneness and depressive symptoms. Findings demonstrate a potential psychopathological mechanism underlying the pathway from perceived family invalidation to NSSI through shame-proneness and depressive symptoms. Furthermore, it provides empirical evidence for future specific intervention and prevention directions for mental health services providers working with adolescents of elevated perceived family invalidation as well as shame-proneness to reduce the risk of NSSI.