The Relationship Between Mindfulness, Depressive Symptoms, and Non-Suicidal Self-Injury Amongst Adolescents
Nancy Lee Heath, Dana Carsley, Melissa E. de Riggi, Devin J. Mills, Jessica Mettler
Archives of Suicide Research March 16, 2016 DOI: 10.1080/13811118.2016.1162243 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 764 |
| Population | Adolescents (56.8% female, mean age 14.42 years), including 74 with past-year non-suicidal self-injury (83.8% female, mean age 14.36 years) and a matched no-NSSI comparison group |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Citations | 65 |
| Key findings | Adolescents with recent non-suicidal self-injury reported greater depressive symptoms and lower mindfulness than matched peers without NSSI. Mindfulness and depressive symptoms were negatively correlated, though less strongly in the NSSI group, and mindfulness partially mediated the effect of depressive symptoms on NSSI. The authors argue this provides the first empirical support for mindfulness as a protective factor in adolescent NSSI. |
Abstract
Mindfulness is often part of treatment for non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI); however, there has been limited research examining the role of mindfulness in NSSI. Thus, the current study sought to investigate the relationship among mindfulness, depressive symptoms, and NSSI (past year) in adolescents (N = 764; 56.8% female, M age = 14.42, SD = 0.64) with consideration of gender. Adolescents with recent NSSI (n = 74; 83.8% female, M age = 14.36, SD = 0.56) and a matched for age and gender no-NSSI group completed measures of mindfulness and depression. Findings revealed that mindfulness and depressive symptoms were negatively correlated, although significantly less so for the NSSI group. Second, the NSSI group reported greater depressive symptoms and less mindfulness. Finally, mindfulness was found to partially mediate the effect of depressive symptoms on NSSI. The present study is the first to provide empirical support for the protective role of mindfulness in NSSI.
Comparable studies
Other observational and cohort studies on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Using Self-Report Assessment Methods to Explore Facets of Mindfulness Undergraduate students | 2006 | Observational cohort | |
| Effectiveness of a meditation-based stress reduction program in the treatment of anxiety disorders Patients with generalized anxiety disorder or panic disorder with or without agoraphobia | 1992 | Observational cohort | n = 22 |
| Meditation experience is associated with increased cortical thickness Participants with extensive Insight meditation experience and matched controls | 2005 | Observational cohort | n = 20 |
| Meditation experience is associated with differences in default mode network activity and connectivity Experienced meditators and matched meditation-naive controls | 2011 | Observational cohort | |
| Long-term meditators self-induce high-amplitude gamma synchrony during mental practice Long-term Buddhist practitioners and controls | 2004 | Observational cohort |
Citations in the library
Cited by 6
- Childhood maltreatment and suicidal ideation in Chinese children and adolescents: the mediating role of mindfulness BMC Psychiatry November 4, 2022
- Association between school bullying and self-harm in Chinese children and adolescents: the mediating role of mindfulness. BMC Public Health May 15, 2025
- The Relationship Between Feelings of Emptiness and Self-Harm Among Thai Patients Exhibiting Borderline Personality Disorder Symptoms: The Mediating Role of the Inner Strengths. Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) October 30, 2024
- Positive Affect as a Transdiagnostic Target for Reducing Adolescent Depression & Suicide Risk: Do Mindfulness, Savoring, & Gratitude Help? Journal des adolescens June 3, 2026
- Feasibility study of an embodied and embedded mindfulness- and compassion-based intervention for non-suicidal self-injury disorder. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies September 1, 2025
and 1 more in the library
Cites 14
- The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 2003
- Mindfulness: Theoretical Foundations and Evidence for its Salutary Effects Psychological Inquiry October 19, 2007
- Metacognitive awareness and prevention of relapse in depression: Empirical evidence. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 2002
- Assessing mindfulness in children and adolescents: Development and validation of the Child and Adolescent Mindfulness Measure (CAMM). Psychological Assessment April 11, 2011
- Mindfulness Meditation, Anxiety Reduction, and Heart Disease Family & Community Health 2003
and 9 more in the library