Cumulative Environmental Risks and Self‐Injury in Adolescents: The Mediating Role of Rumination and the Moderating Role of Positive Youth Development Qualities

Objective This study examined the relationship between cumulative environmental risks and nonsuicidal self‐injury (NSSI) among adolescents, investigating the mediating role of rumination and the moderating role of positive development qualities. Methods A cross‐sectional survey was conducted among 2196 adolescents using the Cumulative Environmental Risks Questionnaire, Self‐Injury Questionnaire, Rumination Questionnaire, and the short version of the Chinese Adolescent Positive Development Scale. Results (1) Cumulative environmental risk was positively associated with adolescent NSSI, with rumination mediating this relationship. (2) The mediating effect of rumination on the relationship between cumulative environmental risks and adolescent NSSI was moderated by positive development qualities, such that the effect was stronger among adolescents with lower levels of these qualities. (3) Positive development qualities moderated the relationship between cumulative environmental risks and NSSI; higher levels of these qualities weakened the association between environmental risk and NSSI.