The Association Between Internet Addiction and Non‐Suicidal Self‐Injury Among Adolescents

A Meta‐Analysis

Bibliographic Data

ID21444397
AuthorsMengjie Li (0000-0003-2544-2115, School of Nursing and Health Henan University Kaifeng Henan China), Fangli Liu (0000-0002-7249-4965, School of Nursing and Health Henan University Kaifeng Henan China, corresponding author), Xinxin Han (0000-0002-6968-1399, School of Nursing and Health Henan University Kaifeng Henan China), Jiachi Wang (School of Nursing and Health Henan University Kaifeng Henan China), Nannan Li (0000-0002-0993-6900, School of Nursing and Health Henan University Kaifeng Henan China), Nianqin Li (0000-0002-5407-4668, Henan University)
Year2025
Volume97
Issue6
Pages1433-1448
Publication date2025-08-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Adolescence (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0140-1971 • E-ISSN: 1095-9254
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1002/jad.12510
PMID40295842
OpenAlexW4409961648
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited83

BACKGROUND: Internet addiction and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) have emerged as prominent psychological concerns among adolescents. Despite numerous investigations into the relationship between these two behaviors, the findings remain inconsistent. This study aims to elucidate the relationship between Internet addiction and NSSI among adolescents. METHODS: Thirteen databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, PsycINFO, Embase, Cochrane, Scopus, ProQuest, CINAHL, MEDLINE, SinoMed, CNKI, Wanfang, and VIP, were systematically searched, covering the period from inception to October 2024. Two independent reviewers conducted study screening, data extraction, and quality evaluation of the included studies. The statistical software STATA 18.0 was utilized to conduct data analysis. RESULTS: Forty-one studies were included from a total of 835 articles retrieved from the databases, encompassing a sample of 284,786 adolescents. A random effects model was utilized for pooled analysis, revealing a moderate positive association between Internet addiction and NSSI (r = 0.23, 95% CI = 0.20-0.27). Furthermore, adolescents' gender, age, and the measurement tools employed played moderating roles in the relationship between Internet addiction and NSSI. However, neither the publication year, the region, nor the adjusted versus unadjusted effect sizes moderated the relationship between the two. CONCLUSIONS: A moderate positive link exists between Internet addiction and NSSI among adolescents. Future preventive measures against NSSI among adolescents should focus more on those with internet addiction, assisting them in overcoming their addiction and establishing healthy online behavior patterns. Additionally, future longitudinal studies are needed to explore the dynamic changes between Internet addiction and NSSI among adolescents.

Addiction · Association (psychology) · Injury prevention · Medical emergency · Meta-analysis · Occupational safety and health · Poison control · Psychiatry · Psychotherapist · Suicidal ideation · Suicide prevention · The Internet · World Wide Web · Clinical Psychology · Digital Mental Health Interventions · Human Factors and Ergonomics · Impact of Technology on Adolescents · Medicine · Psychology · Suicide and Self-Harm Studies