Cybervictimization and Non-Suicidal Self-Injury Among Chinese College Students: an Exploration Through the Lens of Experiential Avoidance Model

Purpose: Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a growing public health concern among college students, with cybervictimization (CV) emerging as a significant contributing factor. Grounded in the experiential avoidance theory, this study investigates the mediating roles of cognitive fusion and negative emotions in the relationship between CV and NSSI, providing new insights into these key variables. Methods: A convenience sample of 457 undergraduate students (29% male; mean age 18.36± 0.66 years) from two universities in Fujian Province participated in this study. Data were collected using the Cyberbullying Victimization Scale, Cognitive Fusion Questionnaire, Positive and Negative Affect Schedule, and Non-Suicidal Self-Injury Scale. Descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation analysis were conducted using SPSS 25.0, while the mediating effects were analyzed using Process 3.5. Results: (1) Significant positive correlations were found among CV, cognitive fusion, negative emotions, and NSSI ( p < 0.01). (2) CV was directly associated with NSSI ( β = 0.22, p < 0.001) and positively predicted both cognitive fusion ( β = 0.17, p < 0.001) and negative emotions ( β = 0.15, p < 0.01). Additionally, cognitive fusion ( β = 0.16, p < 0.01) and negative emotions ( β = 0.11, p < 0.05) significantly predicted NSSI. (3) Mediation analyses revealed that cognitive fusion and negative emotions mediated the CV-NSSI relationship through three pathways: CV→cognitive fusion→NSSI (mediation effect = 0.026), CV→negative emotions→NSSI (mediation effect = 0.02), and CV→cognitive fusion→negative emotions→NSSI (mediation effect = 0.01). Conclusion: The study confirms that CV influences NSSI indirectly through cognitive fusion and negative emotions, supporting the experiential avoidance model. These findings underscore the importance of addressing cognitive and emotional processes in interventions aimed at reducing NSSI among college students. Keywords: cybervictimization, non-suicidal self-injury, cognitive fusion, negative emotions