Depressive symptoms and subjective cognitive dysfunction associated with non-suicidal self-injury among Chinese adolescents: the mediating role of impulsivity and the moderating role of addictive features

Key Points

• Adolescents with major depressive disorder and non-suicidal self-injury experience heightened cognitive dysfunction, indicating significant psychological distress.
• Those with high impulsivity levels show particularly severe cognitive impairments, pointing to the complexity of mental health issues in this demographic.
• The analysis identifies interactions between depressive symptoms and addictive features, demonstrating their influence on cognitive health outcomes.
• Findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to address impulsivity and cognitive dysfunction in adolescents, particularly those engaged in self-injury.