A longitudinal inquiry into the vicious cycle of social media addiction and self-injury: the moderating role of resilience

Background: The reciprocal relationship between social networking addiction (SNA) and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) represents a critical, yet poorly understood, feedback loop in adolescent psychopathology. This study aimed to longitudinally test a "vicious cycle" model, examining the bidirectional effects between SNA and NSSI, and to investigate psychological resilience as a potential protective factor that could disrupt this harmful dynamic. Methods: A three-wave longitudinal study was conducted with a large cohort of 2,628 Chinese high school students (mean age = 16.1 years; 53.1% female) over a 12-month period. Participants completed measures of SNA, NSSI frequency, and psychological resilience at each wave. A cross-lagged panel model (CLPM) was used to examine the reciprocal, prospective relationships between SNA and NSSI. A multi-group CLPM was then employed to test the moderating role of resilience. Results: The CLPM revealed significant, positive, and reciprocal cross-lagged effects. SNA at T1 and T2 prospectively predicted increases in NSSI at T2 and T3, respectively (βs = .19 and.17). Conversely, NSSI at T1 and T2 prospectively predicted increases in SNA at T2 and T3 (βs = .14 and.12), providing robust evidence for a vicious cycle. Furthermore, resilience significantly moderated the pathway from SNA to NSSI. For adolescents with low resilience, the effect was strong and significant (β = .25), whereas for those with high resilience, the effect was rendered non-significant (β = .07). Conclusions: Social networking addiction and non-suicidal self-injury are not merely comorbid but are locked in a mutually reinforcing developmental spiral over time. However, this dangerous cycle is not deterministic. Psychological resilience acts as a powerful protective buffer, effectively uncoupling the link from addictive social media use to self-harm. These findings underscore the urgent need for integrated, dual-focus interventions that address both online and offline maladaptive behaviors, while championing resilience-building as a primary strategy for prevention.