School Bullying Victimization and Suicidal Tendency Among Chinese Adolescents: The Mediating Role of Internalizing Problems and Non-Suicidal Self-Injury

Background: Adolescent suicide has become an increasingly serious social problem in China. Bullying victimization was found to be an influential factor of suicidal tendency, but less attention has been paid to the internal mechanisms of the relationship. Objective: This paper examined the relationship between adolescents’ bullying victimization and suicidal tendency, and the mediating effects of internalizing problems and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI). Method: Generalized Structural Equation Model was employed to a sample of 3,575 Chinese secondary school students. Results: Bullying victimization has a direct positive impact on adolescents’ suicidal tendency, but also has an indirect impact on suicidal tendency through three paths: the independent mediating role of internalizing problems and NSSI, and the chain mediating role of internalizing problems and NSSI. Conclusions: The results suggested that students who are bullied tend to have a higher risk of suicidal tendency, and internalizing problems and NSSI are usually the prelude to suicidal behaviors.