Association between adverse childhood experiences and digital self harm behavior among college students
10.16835/j.cnki.1000-9817.2026148
- VernacularTitle:童年期不良经历与大学生网络自伤行为的关联
- Author:
SU Yujie, TANG Ting, WANG Gengfu
1
Author Information
1. Department of Maternal,Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, Anhui Province, China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Life change events;
Self injurious behavior;
Mental health;
Regression analysis;
Students
- From:
Chinese Journal of School Health
2026;47(6):814-817
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To explore the correlation between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and digital self harm behavior among college students, so as to provide scientific evidence for preventing and intervening digital self harm behavior.
Methods:A total of 5 917 college students from five provinces (Anhui, Guangdong, Hebei, Jilin, and Sichuan) were selected by using a method combining stratified cluster random sampling with convenient sampling to complete an electronic questionnaire survey, from May to June 2024. The survey was conducted to assesse digital self harm behavior and ten dimensions of ACEs, including peer bullying, emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional neglect, physical neglect, adverse family events, adverse school or social events, adverse life experiences, and personal adverse problems. A multivariable Logistic regression model was used to analyze the association between ACEs and digital selfharm among college students.
Results:The reporting rate of digital self harm behavior among college students was 11.5%. There were statistically significant differences in the reporting rates of digital self harm behaviors among college students with different household registration location and the numbers of close friends ( χ 2=3.91, 8.09 , both P <0.05). Univariate analyses showed that the prevalence of digital self harm behavior was significantly higher among students who reported any type of ACEs compared with those without such experiences ( χ 2=7.99-27.63, all P <0.01). After controlling for demographic variables, each type of ACE was separately included in multivariable Logistic regression models as an independent variable, and all types of ACEs were significantly associated with digital self harm behavior among college students ( OR =1.27-1.91, all P <0.01). Notably, the OR values for sexual abuse and personal adverse problems were relatively high, being 1.91 and 1.83 respectively. Moreover, the risk of reporting digital self harm increased with the number of types of ACEs ( OR= 1.17 , P <0.01).
Conclusions:ACEs are related factors for digital self harm behavior among college students. Early psychological intervention should be strengthened, particularly for college students who have experienced sexual abuse and personal adverse problems during childhood.
