In an era where digital interaction has become a cornerstone of social life, the dark underbelly of virtual communication — cyberbullying — continues to pose significant mental health challenges. A groundbreaking study published in BMC Psychiatry (2025) uncovers the intricate ways in which cyberbullying escalates the risk of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), highlighting the pivotal mediating roles of anxiety, loneliness, stress, and depression. This research not only adds depth to our understanding of cyberbullying’s psychological impact but opens new avenues for targeted interventions.
Non-suicidal self-injury, defined as the intentional, direct harm to one’s body without suicidal intent, has long been recognized as a maladaptive coping mechanism linked with various mental health disorders. However, the pathways through which cyberbullying influences the emergence and escalation of NSSI remain underexplored. The recent study conducted in Nantong City, Jiangsu Province, bridges this gap by deploying advanced statistical methods, including propensity score matching (PSM) and causal mediation analysis, to dissect the direct and indirect effects of cyberbullying.
The dataset comprised 1,751 participants, with a convenience sampling methodology employed over three months in mid-2024. Remarkably, nearly one-third (31.8%) of respondents acknowledged experiencing cyberbullying, underscoring how pervasive this form of digital harassment has become. Cyberbullying’s insidious nature lies not only in its direct psychological harm but also in its capacity to amplify existing vulnerabilities, particularly among youth and vulnerable populations.
By utilizing propensity score matching, the researchers meticulously controlled for confounding variables that could otherwise skew associations between cyberbullying and NSSI. This methodological rigor ensures that observed effects are more likely to reflect true causal relationships rather than spurious correlations. Furthermore, causal mediation analysis illuminated four key psychological states—anxiety, loneliness, stress, and depression—that funnel the impact of cyberbullying onto self-injurious behavior.
Anxiety emerged as the most significant mediator, accounting for 28% of the total effect of cyberbullying on NSSI. This suggests that cyberbullying triggers heightened states of apprehension and nervousness, which in turn propel individuals toward harmful self-directed behaviors as a flawed coping strategy. Loneliness also played a crucial role, mediating 14% of the effect. The isolation and disconnection that victims feel in digital spaces exacerbate feelings of helplessness and despair, creating fertile ground for self-injury to manifest.
Stress and depression were equally impactful, mediating 18% and 19% of cyberbullying’s effect on NSSI, respectively. These findings align with a well-documented body of psychiatric literature that links chronic stress and depressive symptoms with maladaptive coping and emotional dysregulation. Cyberbullying acts as a chronic stressor, wearing down psychological resilience and precipitating depressive episodes, thus heightening the risk of NSSI.
Importantly, the study delineates both direct effects—where cyberbullying independently increases NSSI risk—and indirect effects exerted through these mental health pathways. This bifurcation is vital for designing multifaceted interventions that not only curb cyberbullying itself but also ameliorate its psychological sequelae. The identification of loneliness as a key mediator, in particular, points to the necessity of fostering social connectedness and support networks as buffers against the detrimental mental health repercussions of cyber harassment.
Despite these illuminating insights, the authors acknowledge certain limitations. The convenience sampling method limits the generalizability of findings beyond the study population, and the reliance on self-reported data introduces potential biases, such as underreporting due to stigma. Moreover, the cross-sectional study design impedes definitive causal inferences, calling for future longitudinal research that could capture temporal dynamics between cyberbullying exposure and NSSI trajectories more accurately.
From a methodological standpoint, the use of propensity score matching combined with causal mediation analysis represents a sophisticated advancement in the field, offering a template for future investigations into complex psychosocial relationships. This approach mitigates confounding while teasing apart the nuanced psychological processes through which adverse experiences translate into harmful behaviors.
The implications of these findings resonate beyond academic circles. Mental health practitioners, educators, and policymakers must recognize cyberbullying not just as a transient nuisance but as a potent risk factor for serious self-harm. Preventive strategies should incorporate mental health screening for anxiety, loneliness, stress, and depression among youths exposed to online harassment, integrating psychosocial support with anti-bullying programs.
Furthermore, digital platforms bear a responsibility to implement stricter monitoring and reporting mechanisms to preempt and mitigate cyberbullying incidents. Technology-driven interventions, including AI-based detection of harmful content and automated support tools, may serve as valuable adjuncts to human-led initiatives in buffering psychological harm.
The study’s spotlight on loneliness as a critical mediator also advocates for fostering online communities that promote empathy, inclusion, and positive social engagement. Encouraging prosocial behaviors and peer support could serve as protective factors, counterbalancing the isolating effects of cyberbullying.
In conclusion, this compelling research articulates a complex biopsychosocial model linking cyberbullying to non-suicidal self-injury through intertwined mental health pathways. By unraveling the mediating roles of anxiety, loneliness, stress, and depression, it provides a roadmap for both researchers and practitioners aiming to curb the mental health fallout of our increasingly digital world. Future work expanding on these findings is essential to develop nuanced, effective interventions that safeguard vulnerable populations and cultivate healthier online environments.
Subject of Research: The mediating roles of anxiety, loneliness, stress, and depression in the relationship between cyberbullying and non-suicidal self-injury.
Article Title: The mediating roles of anxiety, loneliness, stress, and depression in the relationship between cyberbullying and non-suicidal self-injury: propensity score matching and causal mediation analysis.
Article References:
Yang, W., Ning, L., Miao, Q. et al. The mediating roles of anxiety, loneliness, stress, and depression in the relationship between cyberbullying and non-suicidal self-injury: propensity score matching and causal mediation analysis. BMC Psychiatry 25, 539 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-025-06943-9
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