Citation

Wu D, Rockett IR, Yang T, Feng X, Jiang S, Yu L. J. Affect. Disord. 2016; 202: 137-144.

Affiliation

Department of Social Medicine/Center for Tobacco Control Research, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.jad.2016.05.030

PMID

27262635

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The phenomenon of deliberate self-harm (DSH) among college students has received increased attention in recent decades. Adopting a psychosocial perspective, this study aims to describe self-reported DSH among Chinese medical college students, assess respective associations between uncertainty stress and social capital with DSH, and explore the mechanism linking these three phenomena.

METHODS: A cross-sectional survey employing multi-stage, sampling was conducted. 4446 undergraduate students were recruited from 22 participating Chinese medical universities. Perceived stress from uncertainty and social capital were assessed among the students. The Chi-square test and multiple logistic regression models assessed correlates of DSH. Relationship among social capital, uncertainty stress, and DSH were examined by means of Structural Equation Modeling.

RESULTS: The prevalence of DSH in the past 12 months among Chinese students was 9.6%. The most common types of physical DSH reported were scratching, cutting, and pinching. Age (χ(2)=26.63, p<0.01), gender (χ(2)=30.24, p<0.01), major field (χ(2)=28.13, p<0.01), and annual household income (χ(2)=11.10, p<0.05) were statistically associated with DSH. Uncertainty stress is a unique correlate of DSH, and shows a stronger association than do three certainty stressors. Social capital is also a strong correlate of DSH, especially cognitive social capital. Moreover, social capital may be indirectly associated with DSH through impacting uncertainty stress. LIMITATIONS: This study was a cross-sectional and thus could not evaluate causal relationships.

CONCLUSION: We recommend that a DSH intervention study should target uncertainty stress management and social capital accumulation. This study provides scientific evidence and theoretical foundation for future DSH interventions, with a view to enhancing the mental health of medical college students.

Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Language: en