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Severe psychosocial distress profiles are associated with higher levels of deliberate self-harm and suicidality among Chinese university students

A latent profile analysis of 30,992 Chinese university students identified three psychosocial distress profiles: minimal (60.08%), moderate (34.72%), and severe (5.20%). Students in the severe distress profile reported significantly higher deliberate self-harm (mean=7.47) and suicidality (mean=1.98) compared to moderate (DSH: 2.10, suicidality: 0.44) and minimal (DSH: 0.32, suicidality: 0.05) profiles, all p<0.001.

Last updated: Jul 30, 2026•0 RCTs•📖 Read as article →

Evidence Score

Evidence Score32/100
Human RCT☆☆☆☆☆
Meta-analysis☆☆☆☆☆
Mechanism★★★★★
Safety★★★★☆
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Study Evidence

Study 1. Psychosocial Distress Patterns and Their Associations With Deliberate Self-Harm and Suicidality: A Latent Profile Analysis Among Chinese University Students.

observational

Xiong A, Huang Y, Yang Y, Li Y, Xiong S, Yu Y, Luo B, Liao S · Depression and anxiety (2026)

Participants: N/A
Duration: cross-sectional
Intervention: Psychosocial distress profiling via latent profile analysis using measures of loneliness, depressive symptoms, sleep quality, and problematic internet use
Outcome: Deliberate self-harm (DSH) and suicidality
Effect Size: N/A
Population: 30,992 Chinese university students

Result:

PubMed: 42516869DOI: 10.1155/da/4001851

Mechanism Graph

Psychosocial distress factors (loneliness, depressive symptoms, poor sleep quality, problematic internet use) cluster into distinct profiles
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Latent profile analysis identifies three profiles: minimal, moderate, severe distress
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Profile membership is associated with sociodemographic factors (screen time, exercise, romantic relationships, sexual experience)
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Severe distress profile shows highest levels of deliberate self-harm and suicidality

Limitations

  • ⚠Cross-sectional design prevents establishing temporal relationships or causality
  • ⚠Reverse causation cannot be ruled out (e.g., DSH may cause distress rather than vice versa)

Frequently Asked Questions

What percentage of Chinese university students were classified as having elevated psychosocial distress?▼

Approximately 40% of students were classified as having elevated psychosocial distress (34.72% moderate and 5.20% severe).

Which psychosocial factors were measured to create the distress profiles?▼

The study assessed loneliness, depressive symptoms, sleep quality, and problematic internet use using validated scales.

How did deliberate self-harm levels differ across the distress profiles?▼

Students in the severe distress profile had a mean DSH score of 7.47, compared to 2.10 in the moderate profile and 0.32 in the minimal profile.

What sociodemographic factors were associated with distress profile membership?▼

Screen time, exercise duration, enrolled program, romantic relationship status, number of romantic relationships, and sexual experience all differed significantly across profiles.

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References

  1. 1.Xiong A, Huang Y, Yang Y, Li Y, Xiong S, Yu Y, Luo B, Liao S. "Psychosocial Distress Patterns and Their Associations With Deliberate Self-Harm and Suicidality: A Latent Profile Analysis Among Chinese University Students.." Depression and anxiety, 2026. PMID: 42516869 DOI: 10.1155/da/4001851
Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Evidence scores reflect the quality and quantity of available research, not clinical recommendations. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement or intervention.